Latch interface for a valve actuating device

ABSTRACT

A novel latch seat for a switching rocker arm assembly used in variable valve actuation (VVA) systems for internal combustion engines. The seat is formed interactively in the assembled switching rocker arm using a novel fixture and press. The press interactively creates a curved dimple of the correct curvature, position and depth while measuring several lash dimensions. Since the latch seat is formed on the assembled rocker arm assembly, the latch seat depth is designed to account for the inaccuracies in the rocker arm assembly parts which create lash. Therefore all of the parts may be made with less precision since the latch seat is sized to compensate for the inaccuracies of all of the parts. The rocker arm assembly parts now may be manufactured to less stringent standards, but result in a rocker arm assembly with same accuracy of rocker arm assemblies manufactured to previous standards.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. Nonprovisional applicationSer. No. 14/840,243, filed Aug. 31, 2015, entitled “Latch Interface fora Valve Actuating Device. U.S. Non-provisional application Ser. No.14/840,243 is a continuation of International ApplicationPCT/US2014/019870 filed Mar. 3, 2014, entitled “Latch Interface for aValve Actuating Device.”

International Application PCT/US2014/019870 claims the benefit of: U.S.Provisional Applications 61/771,721 entitled “Process to Form a LatchInterface for a Valve Actuating Device”; 61/771,716 entitled “LatchingMechanism Interface for a Valve Actuating Device” both filed Mar. 1,2013; 61/771,769 filed Mar. 1, 2013, entitled “Discrete Variable ValveLift Device and Methods.” International Application PCT/US2014/019870 isa continuation-in-part of each of the following applications: U.S.application Ser. No. 14/188,339 filed Feb. 24, 2014; Ser. No.13/868,068, filed Apr. 22, 2013; Ser. No. 13/868,067, filed Apr. 22,2013; Ser. No. 13/873,797 filed Apr. 30, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No.9,016,252; Ser. No. 13/873,774 filed Apr. 30, 2013; Ser. No. 13/868,061filed Apr. 22, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,038,586; Ser. No. 13/868,054filed Apr. 22, 2013; Ser. No. 13/868,045 filed Apr. 22, 2013; Ser. No.13/868,035 filed Apr. 22, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,915,225; Ser. No.13/868,025, filed Apr. 22, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,985,074; andInternational Application No. PCT/US2013/068503 filed Nov. 5, 2013;PCT/US2013/038896 filed Apr. 30, 2013; PCT/US2013/037665 filed Apr. 22,2013 and PCT/US2013/037667 filed Apr. 22, 2013.

U.S. application Ser. No. 14/188,339 claimed the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application 61/768,214 filed Feb. 22, 2013; and was acontinuation-in-part of International Application PCT/US2013/068503filed Nov. 5, 2013, which claimed the benefit of 61/722,765 filed Nov.5, 2012. U.S. application Ser. No. 14/188,339 was a continuation-in-partof the following U.S. application Ser. No. 13/868,068, filed Apr. 22,2013; Ser. No. 13/868,067, filed Apr. 22, 2013; Ser. No. 13/873,797filed Apr. 30, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,016,252; Ser. No. 13/873,774filed Apr. 30, 2013; Ser. No. 13/868,061 filed Apr. 22, 2013, now U.S.Pat. No. 9,038,586; Ser. No. 13/868,054 filed Apr. 22, 2013; Ser. No.13/868,045 filed Apr. 22, 2013; Ser. No. 13/868,035 filed Apr. 22, 2013,now U.S. Pat. No. 8,915,225; Ser. No. 13/868,025, filed Apr. 22, 2013,now U.S. Pat. No. 8,985,074. U.S. application Ser. No. 14/188,339 isalso a continuation-in-part of International Application No.PCT/US2013/038896 filed Apr. 30, 2013, PCT/US2013/037665 filed Apr. 22,2013, and PCT/US2013/037667 filed Apr. 22, 2013.

The following U.S. application Ser. No. 13/868,068, filed Apr. 22, 2013;Ser. No. 13/868,067, filed Apr. 22, 2013; Ser. No. 13/873,797 filed Apr.30, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,016,252; Ser. No. 13/873,774 filed Apr.30, 2013; Ser. No. 13/868,061 filed Apr. 22, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No.9,038,586; Ser. No. 13/868,054 filed Apr. 22, 2013; Ser. No. 13/868,045filed Apr. 22, 2013; Ser. No. 13/868,035 filed Apr. 22, 2013, now U.S.Pat. No. 8,915,225; Ser. No. 13/868,025, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,985,074,filed Apr. 22, 2013, and the following International ApplicationsPCT/US2013/038896 filed Apr. 30, 2013; PCT/US2013/037665 filed Apr. 22,2013, and PCT/US2013/037667 filed Apr. 22, 2013, claimed the benefit ofU.S. Provisional Applications 61/640,713 filed Apr. 30, 2012; 61/640,709filed Apr. 30, 2012; 61/637,786 filed Apr. 24, 2012; 61/636,277 filedApr. 20, 2012; and 61/771,769 filed Mar. 1, 2013. The above U.S.applications and International applications are continuations-in-part ofU.S. Non-provisional application Ser. Nos. 13/051,839 and 13/051,848both filed Mar. 18, 2011. Application Ser. No. 13/051,839, now U.S. Pat.No. 8,726,862, and Ser. No. 13/051,848, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,752,513,both claimed the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 61/315,464,filed Mar. 19, 2010.

Application Ser. No. 13/873,774 and Ser. No. 13/873,797 claimed thebenefit of 61/640,705 and 61/640,707 both filed Apr. 30, 2012. All ofthe above patent documents are hereby incorporated by reference in theirentirety.

FIELD

This application is related to rocker arm designs for internalcombustion engines, and more specifically for more efficient novelvariable valve actuation switching rocker arm systems.

BACKGROUND

Global environmental and economic concerns regarding increasing fuelconsumption and greenhouse gas emission, the rising cost of energyworldwide, and demands for lower operating cost, are driving changes tolegislative regulations and consumer demand. As these regulations andrequirements become more stringent, advanced engine technologies must bedeveloped and implemented to realize desired benefits.

FIG. 1B illustrates several valve train arrangements in use today. Inboth Type I (21) and Type II (22), arrangements, a cam shaft with one ormore valve actuating lobes 30 is located above an engine valve 29(overhead cam). In a Type I (21) valvetrain, the overhead cam lobe 30directly drives the valve through a hydraulic lash adjuster (HLA) 812.In a Type II (22) valve train, an overhead cam lobe 30 drives a rockerarm 25, and the first end of the rocker arm pivots over an HLA 812,while the second end actuates the valve 29.

In Type III (23), the first end of the rocker arm 28 rides on and ispositioned above a cam lobe 30 while the second end of the rocker arm 28actuates the valve 29. As the cam lobe 30 rotates, the rocker arm pivotsabout a fixed shaft 31. An HLA 812 can be implemented between the valve29 tip and the rocker arm 28.

In Type V (24), the cam lobe 30 indirectly drives the first end of therocker arm 26 with a push rod 27. An HLA 812 is shown implementedbetween the cam lobe 30 and the push rod 27. The second end of therocker arm 26 actuates the valve 29. As the cam lobe 30 rotates, therocker arm pivots about a fixed shaft 31.

As FIG. 1A also illustrates, industry projections for Type II (22) valvetrains in automotive engines, shown as a percentage of the overallmarket, are predicted to be the most common configuration produced by2019.

Technologies focused on Type II (22) valve trains, that improve theoverall efficiency of the gasoline engine by reducing friction, pumping,and thermal losses are being introduced to make the best use of the fuelwithin the engine. Some of these variable valve actuation (VVA)technologies have been introduced and documented.

A VVA device may be a variable valve lift (VVL) system, a cylinderdeactivation (CDA) system such as that described U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/532,777, filed Jun. 25, 2012 “Single Lobe DeactivatingRocker Arm” hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, or othervalve actuation system. As noted, these mechanisms are developed toimprove performance, fuel economy, and/or reduce emissions of theengine. Several types of the VVA rocker arm assemblies include an innerrocker arm within an outer rocker arm that are biased together withtorsion springs. A latch, when in the latched position causes both theinner and outer rocker arms to move as a single unit. When unlatched,the rocker arms are allowed to move independent of each other.

Switching rocker arms allow for control of valve actuation byalternating between latched and unlatched states, usually involving theinner arm and outer arm, as described above. In some circumstances,these arms engage different cam lobes, such as low-lift lobes, high-liftlobes, and no-lift lobes. Mechanisms are required for switching rockerarm modes in a manner suited for operation of internal combustionengines.

Rocker arms that are driven by a camshaft to actuate the cylinder intakeand exhaust valves are typically mounted on the cylinder head.

There are structures extending from the cylinder head such as cam towersto secure the camshafts in an overhead cam design. There are also sparkplug tubes that extend upward from the top of each cylinder through thehead to receive spark plugs.

As described above, some embodiments of VVA switching rocker armassemblies include a rocker arm within a rocker arm that are biasedtogether with a spring on either side. Since the inner/outer arm designoften employs a roller in the center to engage a cam lobe, it isadvantageous to keep the roller the same width of the cam lobe.Therefore, the structures on either side of the roller add width to therocker assembly causing it to be wider than original non-VVA rocker armsand too wide to fit certain cylinder head designs.

For example, some Type II engine heads employ cam towers that have ahydraulic lifter adjuster (HLA) near the centerline of the head andspark plug tubes that obstruct one side of a wide VVA switching rockerarm assembly.

Many engine parts are designed by manufacturers to work with a specificcylinder head, making the cylinder head very difficult to modify becausechanges may impact many interrelated components, possibly increasingcost and causing assembly clearance issues.

One example of VVA technology used to alter operation and improve fueleconomy in Type II gasoline engines is discrete variable valve lift(DVVL), also sometimes referred to as a DVVL switching rocker arm. DVVLworks by limiting engine cylinder intake air flow with an engine valvethat uses discrete valve lift states versus standard “part throttling”.A second example is cylinder deactivation (CDA). Fuel economy can beimproved by using CDA at partial load conditions in order to operateselect combustion cylinders at higher loads while turning off othercylinders.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) showed a 4%improvement in fuel economy when using DVVL applied to various passengercar engines. An earlier report, sponsored by the United StatesDepartment of Energy lists the benefit of DVVL at 4.5% fuel economyimprovement. Since automobiles spend most of their life at “partthrottle” during normal cruising operation, a substantial fuel economyimprovement can be realized when these throttling losses are minimized.For CDA, studies show a fuel economy gain, after considering the minorloss due to the deactivated cylinders, ranging between 2 and 14%.Currently, there is a need for VVA rocker arms for increasedperformance, economy and/or reduced emissions that fit specific enginehead designs.

Switching rocker arms have been used to alter the operation andperformance of the engines. For example, specialized rocker arms may beused that provide variable valve actuation (VVA), such as variable valvelift (VVL), and cylinder deactivation (CDA). U.S. Provisional PatentApplication 61/636,277, pending) describes in detail the structure andfunction of a VVL switching rocker arm, and the reader is referred tothis document for a full description. These have been developed thatimprove performance, fuel economy, and/or reduce emissions of theengine. Several types of the VVA rocker arm assemblies include an innerrocker arm within an outer rocker arm that are biased together withtorsion springs. A latch, when in the latched position causes both theinner and outer rocker arms to move as a single unit. When unlatched,the rocker arms are allowed to move independent of each other. The latchof the inner arm rests on a latch seat of the outer arm. (Alternatively,the latch may be on the outer arm.)

In the past, it was thought that in order to utilize a round rocker armlatch you would need the mating surface of the other rocker arm in theassembly to have a ground in curved mating surface. This mating surfacecan be referred to as a latch seat.

This latch seat would need to have a radius that very closely matchesthe latch radius. A seat that is slightly too small causes sticking, anda delayed release. It also causes the latch to impact the corners of thelatch seat during engagement of the latch. A larger seat or smaller seatcould cause undesirable wear.

Due to the tolerances, it would need to be processed by way of grinding.This would require more exact and expensive manufacturing processes.Also, the latch should not be restricting from properly extending andretracting.

Another latch design included creating a number of latches, measuringeach and sorting them by latch width. The proper latch was selectedhaving a specific shelf height from an assortment of latches withvarying shelf heights to result in a proper lash. This wastime-consuming and required an array of parts.

Currently, there is a need for a switching rocker arm latch that has theproper lash, aligns well with the latch seat and operates efficiently,and a process for making the switching rocker arm latch seat.

SUMMARY

Advanced VVA systems for piston-type internal combustion engines combinevalve lift control devices, such as CDA or DVVL switching rocker arms,valve lift actuation methods, such as hydraulic actuation usingpressurized engine oil, software and hardware control systems, andenabling technologies. Enabling technologies may include sensing andinstrumentation, OCV design, DFHLA design, torsion springs, specializedcoatings, algorithms, physical arrangements, etc.

In an embodiment, a switching rocker arm assembly is disclosed having aplurality of rocker arms and additional structures connected togetherhaving manufacturing tolerances that introduce mechanical lash, a latchwith a latch pin and a latch seat, the latch seat adapted to receive andsecure the latch pin. The latch seat comprises an indentation having ashape that is complementary to that of the latch pin; the indentationhas a depth chosen to compensate for at least a portion of themechanical lash to result in a predefined lash.

In embodiments, an economical switching rocker arm assembly is disclosedthat exhibits a predetermined lash even though this is constructed withparts having tolerances greater than prior art designs. The rocker armassembly a first rocker arm manufactured with greater tolerances thanprior art designs having with a first end and second end. It also has asecond rocker arm manufactured with greater tolerances that prior artdesigns having a first end pivotally connected to the first end of thefirst rocker arm, and a roller bearing on the first rocker arm adaptedto ride upon a cam and actuate the first rocker arm. The rocker armassembly has a latch having a latch pin on the second end of one of thefirst and second arms and a latch seat on the second end of the otherrocker arm, the latch operating to cause the arms to be fixed relativeto each other when latched and allowed to pivot independently of eachother when not latched. The latch seat has an indentation shaped toreceive the latch pin and sized to compensate for at least a portion ofthe increase lash caused by increased manufacturing tolerances, andresult in a predefined lash.

In an embodiment, a modified rocker assembly is disclosed having anobstructed side and a non-obstructed side, having an outer structurehaving a first end, an inner rocker structure fitting within the outerstructure, the inner structure also having a first end. The modifiedrocker assembly has an axle pivotally connecting the first ends of innerstructure to the outer structure, such that the inner structure mayrotate within the outer structure around the axle. At least one torsionspring on one side of axle, rotationally biases the inner structurerelative to the outer structure. The outer structure, on the obstructedside as it extends from the second end toward the first end is offsettoward the non-obstructed side creating a first offset portion toprovide additional clearance on the obstructed side. This design allowsthe modified rocker arm to fit into an engine head having an obstructionon its obstruction side.

In an embodiment, a modified rocker assembly is disclosed having anobstructed side and a non-obstructed side, with an outer structurehaving a first end, an inner rocker structure fitting within the outerstructure, the inner structure also having a first end. An axlepivotally connects the first ends of inner structure to the outerstructure, such that the inner structure may rotate within the outerstructure around the axle. At least one torsion spring is mounted on thenon-obstructed side of the axle that rotationally biases the innerstructure relative to the outer structure. As the outer structure on theobstructed side extends from the second end toward the first end, theouter structure is offset toward the non-obstructed side creating afirst offset portion. The first offset portion provides additionalclearance on the obstructed side.

In an embodiment, a modified rocker assembly is disclosed having anobstructed side and a non-obstructed side. The modified rocker assemblyhas an outer structure having a first end with an offset portion, aninner rocker structure fitting within the outer structure. The innerstructure also has a first end. An axle pivotally connects the firstends of inner structure to the outer structure, such that the innerstructure may rotate within the outer structure around the axle. Themodified rocker assembly has at least one torsion spring on one side ofthe axle, rotationally biasing the inner structure relative to the outerstructure. As the outer structure on the obstructed side extends fromthe second end toward the first end, the outer structure smoothly curvestoward the non-obstructed side. This creates a first offset portion thatprovides additional clearance on the obstructed side. This allows thisembodiment to fit in an engine head that has an obstruction on theobstructed side.

In one embodiment, an advanced discrete variable valve lift (DVVL)system is described. The advanced discrete variable valve lift (DVVL)system was designed to provide two discrete valve lift states in asingle rocker arm. Embodiments of the approach presented relate to theType II valve train described above and shown in FIG. 1B. Embodiments ofthe system presented herein may apply to a passenger car engine (havingfour cylinders in embodiments) with an electro-hydraulic oil controlvalve, dual feed hydraulic lash adjuster (DFHLA), and DVVL switchingrocker arm. The DVVL switching rocker arm embodiments described hereinfocus on the design and development of a switching roller fingerfollower (SRFF) rocker arm system which enables two-mode discretevariable valve lift on end pivot roller finger follower valve trains.This switching rocker arm configuration includes a low friction rollerbearing interface for the low lift event, and retains normal hydrauliclash adjustment for maintenance free valve train operation.

Mode switching (i.e., from low to high lift or vice versa) isaccomplished within one cam revolution, resulting in transparency to thedriver. The SRFF prevents significant changes to the overhead requiredfor installing in existing engine designs. Load carrying surfaces at thecam interface may comprise a roller bearing for low lift operation, anda diamond like carbon coated slider pad for high lift operation. Amongother aspects, the teachings of the present application is able toreduce mass and moment of inertia while increasing stiffness to achievedesired dynamic performance in low and high lift modes.

A diamond-like carbon coating (DLC coating) allows higher sliderinterface stresses in a compact package. Testing results show that thistechnology is robust and meets all lifetime requirements with someaspects extending to six times the useful life requirements. Alternativematerials and surface preparation methods were screened, and resultsshowed DLC coating to be the most viable alternative. This applicationaddresses the technology developed to utilize a Diamond-like carbon(DLC) coating on the slider pads of the DVVL switching rocker arm.

System validation test results reveal that the system meets dynamic anddurability requirements. Among other aspects, this patent applicationalso addresses the durability of the SRFF design for meeting passengercar durability requirements. Extensive durability tests were conductedfor high speed, low speed, switching, and cold start operation. Highengine speed test results show stable valve train dynamics above 7000engine rpm. System wear requirements met end-of-life criteria for theswitching, sliding, rolling and torsion spring interfaces. One importantmetric for evaluating wear is to monitor the change in valve lash. Thelifetime requirements for wear showed that lash changes are within theacceptable window. The mechanical aspects exhibited robust behavior overall tests including the slider interfaces that contain a diamond likecarbon (DLC) coating.

With flexible and compact packaging, this DVVL system can be implementedin a multi-cylinder engine. The DVVL arrangement can be applied to anycombination of intake or exhaust valves on a piston-driven internalcombustion engine. Enabling technologies include OCV, DFHLA, DLCcoating.

In a second embodiment, an advanced single-lobe cylinder deactivation(CDA-1L) system is described. The advanced cylinder deactivation(CDA-1L) system was designed to deactivate one or more cylinders.Embodiments of the approach presented relate to the Type II valve traindescribed above and shown in FIG. 22. Embodiments of the systempresented herein may apply to a passenger car engine (having a multipleof two cylinders in embodiments, for example 2, 6, 8) with anelectro-hydraulic oil control valve, dual feed hydraulic lash adjuster(DFHLA), and CDA-1L switching rocker arm. The CDA-1L switching rockerarm embodiments described herein focus on the design and development ofa switching roller finger follower (SRFF) rocker arm system whichenables lift/no-lift operation for end pivot roller finger followervalve trains. This switching rocker arm configuration includes a lowfriction roller bearing interface for the cylinder deactivation event,and retains normal hydraulic lash adjustment for maintenance free valvetrain operation.

Mode switching for the CDA-1L system is accomplished within one camrevolution, resulting in transparency to the driver. The SRFF preventssignificant changes to the overhead required for installing in existingengine designs. Among other aspects, the teachings of the presentapplication is able to reduce mass and moment of inertia whileincreasing stiffness to achieve desired dynamic performance in eitherlift or no-lift modes.

CDA-1L system validation test results reveal that the system meetsdynamic and durability requirements. Among other aspects, this patentapplication also addresses the durability of the SRFF design necessaryto meet passenger car durability requirements. Extensive durabilitytests were conducted for high speed, low speed, switching, and coldstart operation. High engine speed test results show stable valve traindynamics above 7000 engine rpm. System wear requirements met end-of-lifecriteria for the switching, rolling and torsion spring interfaces. Oneimportant metric for evaluating wear is to monitor the change in valvelash. The lifetime requirements for wear showed that lash changes arewithin the acceptable window. The mechanical aspects exhibited robustbehavior over all tests.

With flexible and compact packaging, the CDA-1L system can beimplemented in a multi-cylinder engine. Enabling technologies includeOCV, DFHLA, and specialized torsion spring design.

A rocker arm is described for engaging a cam having one lift lobe pervalve. The rocker arm includes an outer arm, an inner arm, a pivot axle,a lift lobe contacting bearing, a bearing axle, and at least one bearingaxle spring. The outer arm has a first and a second outer side arms andouter pivot axle apertures configured for mounting the pivot axle. Theinner arm is disposed between the first and second outer side arms, andhas a first inner side arm and a second inner side arm. The first andsecond inner side arms have an inner pivot axle apertures that receiveand hold the pivot axle, and inner bearing axle apertures for mountingthe bearing axle.

The pivot axle fits into the inner pivot axle apertures and the outerpivot axle apertures.

The bearing axle is mounted in the bearing axle apertures of the innerarm.

The bearing axle spring is secured to the outer arm and is in biasingcontact with the bearing axle. The lift lobe contacting bearing ismounted to the bearing axle between the first and the second inner sidearms.

Another embodiment can be described as a rocker arm for engaging a camhaving a single lift lobe per engine valve. The rocker arm includes anouter arm, an inner arm, a cam contacting member configured to becapable of transferring motion from the single lift lobe of the cam tothe rocker arm, and at least one biasing spring.

The rocker arm also includes a first outer side arm and a second outerside arm.

The inner arm is disposed between the first and the second outer sidearms, and has a first inner side arm and a second inner side arm.

The inner arm is secured to the outer arm by a pivot axle configured topermit rotating movement of the inner arm relative to the outer armabout the pivot axle.

The cam contacting member is disposed between the first and second innerside arm.

At least one biasing spring is secured to the outer arm and is inbiasing contact with the cam contacting member.

Another embodiment may be described as a deactivating rocker arm forengaging a cam having a single lift lobe having a first end and a secondend, an outer arm, an inner arm, a pivot axle, a lift lobe contactingmember configured to be capable of transferring motion from the cam liftlobe to the rocker arm, a latch configured to be capable of selectivelydeactivating the rocker arm, and at least one biasing spring.

The outer arm has a first outer side arm and a second outer side arm,outer pivot axle apertures configured for mounting the pivot axle, andaxle slots configured to accept the lift lobe contacting member,permitting lost motion movement of the lift lobe contacting member.

The inner arm is disposed between the first and second outer side arms,and has a first inner side arm and a second inner side arm. The firstinner side arm and the second inner side arm have inner pivot axleapertures configured for mounting the pivot axle, and inner lift lobecontacting member apertures configured for mounting the lift lobecontacting member.

The pivot axle is mounted adjacent the first end of the rocker arm anddisposed in the inner pivot axle apertures and the outer pivot axleapertures.

The latch is disposed adjacent the second end of the rocker arm.

The lift lobe contacting member mounted in the lift lobe contactingmember apertures of the inner arm and the axle slots of the outer armand between the pivot axle and latch.

The biasing spring is secured to the outer arm and in biasing contactwith the lift lobe contacting member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

It will be appreciated that the illustrated boundaries of elements inthe drawings represent only one example of the boundaries. One ofordinary skill in the art will appreciate that a single element may bedesigned as multiple elements or that multiple elements may be designedas a single element. An element shown as an internal feature may beimplemented as an external feature and vice versa.

Further, in the accompanying drawings and description that follow, likeparts are indicated throughout the drawings and description with thesame reference numerals, respectively. The figures may not be drawn toscale and the proportions of certain parts have been exaggerated forconvenience of illustration.

FIG. 1A illustrates the relative percentage of engine types for 2012 and2019.

FIG. 1B illustrates the general arrangement and market sizes for Type I,Type II, Type III, and Type V valve trains.

FIG. 2 shows the intake and exhaust valve train arrangement.

FIG. 3 illustrates the major components that comprise the DVVL system,including hydraulic actuation.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary switching rockerarm as it may be configured during operation with a three lobed cam.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing valve lift states plotted against cam shaftcrank degrees for both the intake and exhaust valves for an exemplaryDVVL implementation.

FIG. 6 is a system control diagram for a hydraulically actuated DVVLrocker arm assembly.

FIG. 7 illustrates the rocker arm oil gallery and control valvearrangement.

FIG. 8 illustrates the hydraulic actuating system and conditions for anexemplary DVVL switching rocker arm system during low-lift (unlatched)operation.

FIG. 9 illustrates the hydraulic actuating system and conditions for anexemplary DVVL switching rocker arm system during high-lift (latched)operation.

FIG. 10 illustrates a side cut-away view of an exemplary switchingrocker arm assembly with dual feed hydraulic lash adjuster (DFHLA).

FIG. 11 is a cut-away view of a DFHLA.

FIG. 12 illustrates diamond like carbon coating layers.

FIG. 13 illustrates an instrument used to sense position or relativemovement of a DFHLA ball plunger.

FIG. 14 illustrates an instrument used in conjunction with a valve stemto measure valve movement relative to a known state.

FIGS. 14A and 14B illustrate a section view of a first linear variabledifferential transformer using three windings to measure valve stemmovement.

FIGS. 14C and 14D illustrate a section view of a second linear variabledifferential transformer using two windings to measure valve stemmovement.

FIG. 15 illustrates another perspective view of an exemplary switchingrocker arm and FIG. 15A depicts the exemplary switching rocker arm heldin a clamping fixture.

FIG. 16 illustrates an instrument designed to sense position and ormovement.

FIG. 17 is a graph that illustrates the relationship between OCVactuating current, actuating oil pressure and valve lift state during atransition between high-lift and low-lift states.

FIG. 17A is a graph that illustrates the relationship between OCVactuating current, actuating oil pressure and latch state during a latchtransition.

FIG. 17B is a graph that illustrates the relationship between OCVactuating current, actuating oil pressure, and latch state duringanother latch transition.

FIG. 17C is a graph that illustrates the relationship between valve liftprofiles and actuating oil pressure for high-lift and low-lift states.

FIG. 18 is a control logic diagram for a DVVL system.

FIG. 19 illustrates an exploded view of an exemplary switching rockerarm.

FIG. 20 is a chart illustrating oil pressure conditions and oil controlvalve (OCV) states for both low-lift and high-lift operation of a DVVLrocker arm assembly.

FIGS. 21-22 illustrate graphs showing the relation between oiltemperature and latch response time.

FIG. 23 is a timing diagram showing available switching windows for anexemplary DVVL switching rocker arm, in a 4-cylinder engine, withactuating oil pressure controlled by two OCV's each controlling twocylinders.

FIG. 24 is a side cutaway view of a DVVL switching rocker armillustrating latch pre-loading prior to switching from high-lift tolow-lift.

FIG. 25 is a side cutaway view of a DVVL switching rocker armillustrating latch pre-loading prior to switching from low-lift tohigh-lift.

FIG. 25A is a side cutaway view of a DVVL switching rocker armillustrating a critical shift event when switching between low-lift andhigh-lift.

FIG. 26 is an expanded timing diagram showing available switchingwindows and constituent mechanical switching times for an exemplary DVVLswitching rocker arm, in a 4-cylinder engine, with actuating oilpressure controlled by two OCV's each controlling two cylinders.

FIG. 27 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary switching rockerarm.

FIG. 28 illustrates a top-down view of exemplary switching rocker arm.

FIG. 29 illustrates a cross-section view taken along line 29-29 in FIG.28.

FIGS. 30A-30B illustrate a section view of an exemplary torsion spring.

FIG. 31 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the outer arm.

FIG. 32 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the latching mechanism inits latched state along the line 32, 33-32, 33 in FIG. 28.

FIG. 33 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the latching mechanism inits unlatched state.

FIG. 34 illustrates an alternate latch pin design.

FIGS. 35A-35F illustrate several retention devices for orientation pin.

FIG. 36 illustrates an exemplary latch pin design.

FIG. 37 illustrates an alternative latching mechanism.

FIGS. 38-40 illustrate an exemplary method of assembling a switchingrocker arm.

FIG. 41 illustrates an alternative embodiment of pin.

FIG. 42 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a pin.

FIG. 43 illustrates the various lash measurements of a switching rockerarm.

FIG. 44 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary inner arm of aswitching rocker arm.

FIG. 45 illustrates a perspective view from below of the inner arm of aswitching rocker arm.

FIG. 46 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary outer arm of aswitching rocker arm.

FIG. 47 illustrates a sectional view of a latch assembly of an exemplaryswitching rocker arm.

FIG. 48 is a graph of lash vs. camshaft angle for a switching rockerarm.

FIG. 49 illustrates a side cut-away view of an exemplary switchingrocker arm assembly.

FIG. 50 illustrates a perspective view of the outer arm with anidentified region of maximum deflection when under load conditions.

FIG. 51 illustrates a top view of an exemplary switching rocker arm andthree-lobed cam.

FIG. 52 illustrates a section view along line 52-52 in of FIG. 51 of anexemplary switching rocker arm.

FIG. 53 illustrates an exploded view of an exemplary switching rockerarm, showing the major components that affect inertia for an exemplaryswitching rocker arm assembly.

FIG. 54 illustrates a design process to optimize the relationshipbetween inertia and stiffness for an exemplary switching rockerassembly.

FIG. 55 illustrates a characteristic plot of inertia versus stiffnessfor design iterations of an exemplary switching rocker arm assembly.

FIG. 56 illustrates a characteristic plot showing stress, deflection,loading, and stiffness versus location for an exemplary switching rockerarm assembly.

FIG. 57 illustrates a characteristic plot showing stiffness versusinertia for a range of exemplary switching rocker arm assemblies.

FIG. 58 illustrates an acceptable range of discrete values of stiffnessand inertia for component parts of multiple DVVL switching rocker armassemblies.

FIG. 59 is a side cut-away view of an exemplary switching rocker armassembly including a DFHLA and valve.

FIG. 60 illustrates a characteristic plot showing a range of stiffnessvalues versus location for component parts of an exemplary switchingrocker arm assembly.

FIG. 61 illustrates a characteristic plot showing a range of massdistribution values versus location for component parts of an exemplaryswitching rocker arm assembly.

FIG. 62 illustrates a test stand measuring latch displacement.

FIG. 63 is an illustration of a non-firing test stand for testingswitching rocker arm assembly.

FIG. 64 is a graph of valve displacement vs. camshaft angle.

FIG. 65 illustrates a hierarchy of key tests for testing the durabilityof a switching roller finger follower (SRFF) rocker arm assembly.

FIG. 66 shows the test protocol in evaluating the SRFF over anAccelerated System Aging test cycle.

FIG. 67 is a pie chart showing the relative testing time for the SRFFdurability testing.

FIG. 68 shows a strain gage that was attached to and monitored the SRFFduring testing.

FIG. 69 is a graph of valve closing velocity for the Low Lift mode.

FIG. 70 is a valve drop height distribution.

FIG. 71 displays the distribution of critical shifts with respect tocamshaft angle.

FIG. 72 show an end of a new outer arm before use.

FIG. 73 shows typical wear of the outer arm after use.

FIG. 74 illustrates average Torsion Spring Load Loss at end-of-lifetesting.

FIG. 75 illustrates the total mechanical lash change of AcceleratedSystem Aging Tests.

FIG. 76 illustrates end-of-life slider pads with the DLC coating,exhibiting minimal wear.

FIG. 77 is a camshaft surface embodiment employing a crown shape.

FIG. 78 illustrates a pair of slider pads attached to a support rockeron a test coupon.

FIG. 79A illustrates DLC coating loss early in the testing of a coupon.

FIG. 79B shows a typical example of one of the coupons tested at the maxdesign load with 0.2 degrees of included angle.

FIG. 80 is a graph of tested stress level vs. engine lives for a testcoupon having DLC coating.

FIG. 81 is a graph showing the increase in engine lifetimes for sliderpads having polished and non-polished surfaces prior to coating with aDLC coating.

FIG. 82 is a flowchart illustrating the development of the productiongrinding and polishing processes that took place concurrently with thetesting.

FIG. 83 shows the results of the slider pad angle control relative tothree different grinders.

FIG. 84 illustrates surface finish measurements for three differentgrinders.

FIG. 85 illustrates the results of six different fixtures to hold theouter arm during the slider pad grinding operations.

FIG. 86 is a graph of valve closing velocity for the High Lift mode.

FIG. 87 illustrates durability test periods.

FIG. 88 shows a perspective view of an exemplary CDA-1L layout.

FIG. 89A shows a partial cut-away side elevational view of an exemplarySRFF-1L system with a latch mechanism and roller bearing.

FIG. 89B shows a front elevation view of the exemplary SRFF-1L system ofFIG. 89A.

FIG. 90 is an engine layout showing an exemplary SRFF-1L rocker assemblyon the exhaust and intake valves.

FIG. 91 shows a hydraulic fluid control system.

FIG. 92 shows an exemplary SRFF-1L system in operation exhibitingnormal-lift engine valve operation.

FIGS. 93A, 93B and 93C show an exemplary SRFF-1L system in operationexhibiting no-lift engine valve operation.

FIG. 94 shows an example switching window.

FIG. 95 shows the effect of camshaft phasing on the switching window.

FIG. 96 shows latch response times for an embodiment of the SRFF-1system.

FIG. 97 is a graph showing a switching window times above 40 degrees C.for an exemplary SRFF-1 system.

FIG. 98 is a graph showing a switching window times taking into accountcamshaft phasing and oil temperature for an exemplary SRFF-1 system.

FIG. 99 illustrates an exemplary SRFF-1L rocker arm assembly.

FIG. 100 illustrates an exploded view of the exemplary SRFF-1L rockerarm assembly of FIG. 99.

FIG. 101 illustrates a side view of an exemplary SRFF-1L rocker armassembly, including DFHLA, valve stem, and cam lobe.

FIG. 102 illustrates an end view of an exemplary SRFF-1L rocker armassembly, including DFHLA, valve stem, and cam lobe.

FIG. 103 shows latch re-engagement features in case of pressure loss.

FIG. 104 shows camshaft alignment of an exemplary SRFF-1L system.

FIG. 105 shows forces acting on an RFF employing hydraulic lashadjusters.

FIG. 106 shows a force balance for an exemplary SRFF-1L system in a‘no-lift’ mode.

FIG. 107 is a table showing oil pressure requirements for an exemplarySRFF-1 system.

FIG. 108 shows mechanical lash for an exemplary SRFF-1 system.

FIG. 109 shows camshaft lift profiles for a three-lobe CDA system versusan exemplary SRFF-1L system.

FIG. 110 is a graphic representation of stiffness vs. moment of inertiafor multiple rocker arm designs.

FIG. 111 illustrates the resultant seating closing velocity of an intakevalve of an exemplary SRFF-1L system.

FIG. 112 is a table showing a torsion spring test summary.

FIG. 113 is a graph showing displacements and pressures during a‘pump-up’ test.

FIG. 114 shows durability and lash change over a specified testingperiod for an exemplary STFF-1L system.

FIG. 115 is a perspective view of a prior art cylinder head with partsremoved for clarity.

FIG. 116 is an elevational, cross-sectional view of the cylinder head ofFIG. 115.

FIG. 117 is a perspective view of a prior art variable valve lift (VVL)rocker arm assembly.

FIG. 118 is a perspective view of a left-handed (modified) rockerassembly that provides variable valve lift according to one aspect ofthe present teachings.

FIG. 119 is a top plan view of the modified rocker assembly of FIG. 118.

FIG. 120 is a side elevational view of the modified rocker assembly 400of FIGS. 118-119.

FIG. 121 is an end-on elevational view of the modified rocker assemblyof FIGS. 118-120 as viewed from its hinge (first) end.

FIG. 122 is an end-on elevational view of the modified rocker assemblyof FIGS. 118-121 as viewed from its latch (second) end.

FIG. 123 is a plan view from above the outer structure showing the firstand second offset areas.

FIG. 124 is a plan view from below the outer structure of FIG. 123.

FIG. 125 is a side elevational view of an outer structure according toone aspect of the present teachings.

FIG. 126 is a perspective view of top side of an inner structureaccording to one aspect of the present teachings.

FIG. 127 is a perspective view of bottom side of the inner structure ofFIG. 126.

FIG. 128 is a plan view from the top side of the inner structure ofFIGS. 126-127.

FIG. 129 is a plan view from the bottom side of the inner structure ofFIGS. 126-128.

FIG. 130 is an end-on elevational view of the inner structure of FIGS.126-129 as viewed from its hinge (first) end.

FIG. 131 is an end-on elevational view of the inner structure of FIGS.126-130 as viewed from its latch (second) end.

FIG. 132 is a perspective view of the modified rocker assembly of FIGS.118-122 as it would appear installed in a cylinder head.

FIG. 133 is a perspective view from another viewpoint of the modifiedrocker assembly 400 of FIGS. 118-122, as it would appear installed in acylinder head.

FIG. 134 shows the bottom of a partially assembled switching rocker armand the outer arm mating surface.

FIG. 135 shows the rocker assembly of FIG. 1 with a carbide pin in thelatch recess just before the pin is pressed into the mating surface.

FIG. 136 shows a fixture for forming the indentation in the matingsurface.

FIG. 137 shows a press setup for pressing a pin into the mating surface.

FIG. 138 shows a portion of only the outer arm illustrating theindentation in the latch seat.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The terms used herein have their common and ordinary meanings unlessredefined in this specification, in which case the new definitions willsupersede the common meanings.

It is also to be appreciated that the phraseology and terminology usedherein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded aslimiting. References in the singular or plural form are not intended tolimit the presently disclosed systems or methods, their components,acts, or elements. The use herein of “including”, “comprising”,“having”, “containing”, “involving” and variations thereof are meant toencompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well asadditional items. References to “or” may be construed as inclusive sothat any terms described using “or” may indicate any of a single, morethan one, and all of the described terms. Any references to “front andback”, “left and right”, “top and bottom”, and “upper and lower” areintended for convenience of description, not to limit the presentsystems and methods or their components to any one positional or spatialorientation. Also the terms “coining”, “impression”, and “indenting” aresynonymous. Reference is also made to the “carbide pin” or “carbide rod”which are also synonymous.

As illustrated in the various figures, some sizes of structures orportions are exaggerated relative to other structures or portions forillustrative purposes and, thus, are provided to illustrate the generalstructures of the present subject matter. Furthermore, various aspectsof the present subject matter are described with reference to astructure or a portion being formed on other structures, portions, orboth. As will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, references toa structure being formed “on” or “above” another structure or portioncontemplates that additional structure, portion, or both may intervene.References to a structure or a portion being formed “on” anotherstructure or portion without an intervening structure or portion aredescribed herein as being formed “directly on” the structure or portion.Similarly, it will be understood that when an element is referred to asbeing “connected”, “attached”, or “coupled” to another element, it canbe directly connected, attached, or coupled to the other element, orintervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element isreferred to as being “directly connected”, “directly attached”, or“directly coupled” to another element, no intervening elements arepresent.

Furthermore, relative terms such as “on”, “above”, “upper”, “top”,“lower”, or “bottom” are used herein to describe one structure's orportion's relationship to another structure or portion as illustrated inthe figures. It will be understood that relative terms such as “on”,“above”, “upper”, “top”, “lower” or “bottom” are intended to encompassdifferent orientations of the device in addition to the orientationdepicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures isturned over, structure or portion described as “above” other structuresor portions would now be oriented “below” the other structures orportions. Likewise, if devices in the figures are rotated along an axis,structure or portion described as “above”, other structures or portionswould now be oriented “next to” or “left of” the other structures orportions. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

VVA SYSTEM EMBODIMENTS—VVA system embodiments represent a uniquecombination of a switching device, actuation method, analysis andcontrol system, and enabling technology that together produce a VVAsystem. VVA system embodiments may incorporate one or more enablingtechnologies.

I. Discrete Variable Valve Lift (DVVL) System Embodiment Description

1. DVVL System Overview

A cam-driven, discrete variable valve lift (DVVL), switching rocker armdevice that is hydraulically actuated using a combination of dual-feedhydraulic lash adjusters (DFHLA), and oil control valves (OCV) isdescribed in following sections as it would be installed on an intakevalve in a Type II valve train. In alternate embodiments, thisarrangement can be applied to any combination of intake or exhaustvalves on a piston-driven internal combustion engine.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the exhaust valve train in this embodimentcomprises a fixed rocker arm 810, single lobe camshaft 811, a standardhydraulic lash adjuster (HLA) 812, and an exhaust valve 813. As shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, components of the intake valve train include thethree-lobe camshaft 102, switching rocker arm assembly 100, a dual feedhydraulic lash adjuster (DFHLA) 110 with an upper fluid port 506 and alower fluid port 512, and an electro-hydraulic solenoid oil controlvalve assembly (OCV) 820. The OCV 820 has an inlet port 821, and a firstand second control port 822, 823 respectively.

Referring to FIG. 2, the intake and exhaust valve trains share certaincommon geometries including valve 813 spacing to HLA 812 and valve 112spacing to DFHLA 110. Maintaining a common geometry allows the DVVLsystem to package with existing or lightly modified Type II cylinderhead space while utilizing the standard chain drive system. Additionalcomponents, illustrated in FIG. 4, that are common to both the intakeand exhaust valve train include valves 112, valve springs 114, and valvespring retainers 116. Valve keys and valve stem seals (not shown) arealso common for both the intake and exhaust. Implementation cost for theDVVL system is minimized by maintaining common geometries, using commoncomponents.

The intake valve train elements illustrated in FIG. 3 work in concert toopen the intake valve 112 with either high-lift camshaft lobes 104, 106or a low-lift camshaft lobe 108. The high-lift camshaft lobes 104, 106are designed to provide performance comparable to a fixed intake valvetrain, and are comprised of a generally circular portion where no liftoccurs, a lift portion, which may include a linear lift transitionportion, and a nose portion that corresponds to maximum lift. Thelow-lift camshaft lobe 108 allows for lower valve lift and early intakevalve closing. The low-lift camshaft lobe 108 also comprises a generallycircular portion where no lift occurs, a generally linear portion werelift transitions, and a nose portion that corresponds to maximum lift.The graph in FIG. 5 shows a plot of valve lift 818 versus crank angle817. The cam shaft high-lift profile 814 and the fixed exhaust valvelift profile 815 are contrasted with low-lift profile 816. The low-liftevent illustrated by profile 816 reduces both lift and duration of theintake event during part throttle operation to decrease throttlinglosses and realize a fuel economy improvement. This is also referred toas early intake valve closing, or EIVC. When full power operation isneeded, the DVVL system returns to the high-lift profile 814, which issimilar to a standard fixed lift event. Transitioning from low-lift tohigh-lift and vice versa occurs within one camshaft revolution. Theexhaust lift event shown by profile 815 is fixed and operates in thesame way with either a low-lift or high-lift intake event.

The system used to control DVVL switching uses hydraulic actuation. Aschematic depiction of a hydraulic control and actuation system 800 thatis used with embodiments of the teachings of the present application isshown in FIG. 6. The hydraulic control and actuation system 800 isdesigned to deliver hydraulic fluid, as commanded by controlled logic,to mechanical latch assemblies that provide for switching betweenhigh-lift and low-lift states. An engine control unit 825 controls whenthe mechanical switching process is initiated. The hydraulic control andactuation system 800 shown is for use in a four cylinder in-line Type IIengine on the intake valve train described previously, though theskilled artisan will appreciate that control and actuation system mayapply to engines of other “Types” and different numbers of cylinders.

Several enabling technologies previously mentioned and used in the DVVLsystem described herein may be used in combination with other DVVLsystem components described herein thus rending unique combinations,some of which will be described herein:

2. DVVL System Enabling Technologies

Several technologies used in this system have multiple uses in variedapplications; they are described herein as components of the DVVL systemdisclosed herein. These include:

2.1. Oil Control Valve (OCV) and Oil Control Valve Assemblies

Now, referring to FIGS. 7-9, an OCV is a control device that directs ordoes not direct pressurized hydraulic fluid to cause the rocker arm 100to switch between high-lift mode and low-lift mode. OCV activation anddeactivation is caused by a control device signal 866. One or more OCVscan be packaged in a single module to form an assembly. In oneembodiment, OCV assembly 820 is comprised of two solenoid type OCV'spackaged together. In this embodiment, a control device provides asignal 866 to the OCV assembly 820, causing it to provide a highpressure (in embodiments, at least 2 Bar of oil pressure) or lowpressure (in embodiments, 0.2-0.4 Bar) oil to the oil control galleries802, 803 causing the switching rocker arm 100 to be in either low-liftor high-lift mode, as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9 respectively. Furtherdescription of this OCV assembly 820 embodiment is contained infollowing sections.

2.2. Dual Feed Hydraulic Lash Adjuster (DFHLA):

Many hydraulic lash adjusting devices exist for maintaining lash inengines. For DVVL switching of rocker arm 100 (FIG. 4), traditional lashmanagement is required, but traditional HLA devices are insufficient toprovide the necessary oil flow requirements for switching, withstand theassociated side-loading applied by the assembly 100 during operation,and fit into restricted package spaces. A compact dual feed hydrauliclash adjuster 110 (DFHLA), used together with a switching rocker arm 100is described, with a set of parameters and geometry designed to provideoptimized oil flow pressure with low consumption, and a set ofparameters and geometry designed to manage side loading.

As illustrated in FIG. 10, the ball plunger end 601 fits into the ballsocket 502 that allows rotational freedom of movement in all directions.This permits side and possibly asymmetrical loading of the ball plungerend 601 in certain operating modes, for example when switching fromhigh-lift to low-lift and vice versa. In contrast to typical ball endplungers for HLA devices, the DFHLA 110 ball end plunger 601 isconstructed with thicker material to resist side loading, shown in FIG.11 as plunger thickness 510.

Selected materials for the ball plunger end 601 may also have higherallowable kinetic stress loads, for example, chrome vanadium alloy.

Hydraulic flow pathways in the DFHLA 110 are designed for high flow andlow pressure drop to ensure consistent hydraulic switching and reducedpumping losses. The DFHLA is installed in the engine in a cylindricalreceiving socket sized to seal against exterior surface 511, illustratedin FIG. 11. The cylindrical receiving socket combines with the first oilflow channel 504 to form a closed fluid pathway with a specifiedcross-sectional area.

As shown in FIG. 11, the preferred embodiment includes four oil flowports 506 (only two shown) as they are arranged in an equally spacedfashion around the base of the first oil flow channel 504. Additionally,two second oil flow channels 508 are arranged in an equally spacedfashion around ball end plunger 601, and are in fluid communication withthe first oil flow channel 504 through oil ports 506. Oil flow ports 506and the first oil flow channel 504 are sized with a specific area andspaced around the DFHLA 110 body to ensure even flow of oil andminimized pressure drop from the first flow channel 504 to the third oilflow channel 509. The third oil flow channel 509 is sized for thecombined oil flow from the multiple second oil flow channels 508.

2.3. Diamond-Like Carbon Coating (DLCC)

A diamond-like carbon coating (DLC) coating is described that can reducefriction between treated parts, and at the same provide necessary wearand loading characteristics. Similar coating materials and processesexist, none are sufficient to meet many of the requirements encounteredwhen used with VVA systems. For example, 1) be of sufficient hardness,2) have suitable loadbearing capacity, 3) be chemically stable in theoperating environment, 4) be applied in a process where temperatures donot exceed part annealing temperatures, 5) meet engine lifetimerequirements, and 6) offer reduced friction as compared to a steel onsteel interface.

A unique DLC coating process is described that meets the requirementsset forth above. The DLC coating that was selected is derived from ahydrogenated amorphous carbon or similar material. The DLC coating iscomprised of several layers described in FIG. 12.

-   -   1. The first layer is a chrome adhesion layer 701 that acts as a        bonding agent between the metal receiving surface 700 and the        next layer 702.    -   2. The second layer 702 is chrome nitride that adds ductility to        the interface between the base metal receiving surface 700 and        the DLC coating.    -   3. The third layer 703 is a combination of chrome carbide and        hydrogenated amorphous carbon which bonds the DLC coating to the        chrome nitride layer 702.    -   4. The fourth layer 704 is comprised of hydrogenated amorphous        carbon that provides the hard functional wear interface.

The combined thickness of layers 701-704 is between two and sixmicrometers. The DLC coating cannot be applied directly to the metalreceiving surface 700. To meet durability requirements and for properadhesion of the first chrome adhesion layer 701 with the base receivingsurface 700, a very specific surface finish mechanically applied to thebase layer receiving surface 700.

2.4 Sensing and Measurement

Information gathered using sensors may be used to verify switchingmodes, identify error conditions, or provide information analyzed andused for switching logic and timing. Several sensing devices that may beused are described below.

2.4.1 Dual Feed Hydraulic Lash Adjuster (DFHLA) Movement

Variable valve actuation (VVA) technologies are designed to change valvelift profiles during engine operation using switching devices, forexample a DVVL switching rocker arm or cylinder deactivation (CDA)rocker arm. When employing these devices, the status of valve lift isimportant information that confirms a successful switching operation, ordetects an error condition/malfunction.

A DFHLA is used to both manage lash and supply hydraulic fluid forswitching in VVA systems that employ switching rocker arm assembliessuch as CDA or DVVL. As shown in the section view of FIG. 10, normallash adjustment for the DVVL rocker arm assembly 100, (a detaileddescription is in following sections) causes the ball plunger 601 tomaintain contact with the inner arm 122 receiving socket during bothhigh-lift and low-lift operation. The ball plunger 601 is designed tomove as necessary when loads vary from between high-lift and low-liftstates. A measurement of the movement 514 of FIG. 13 in comparison withknown states of operation can determine the latch location status. Inone embodiment, a non-contact switch 513 is located between the HLAouter body and the ball plunger cylindrical body. A second example mayincorporate a Hall-effect sensor mounted in a way that allowsmeasurement of the changes in magnetic fields generated by a certainmovement 514.

2.4.2 Valve Stem Movement

Variable valve actuation (VVA) technologies are designed to change valvelift profiles during engine operation using switching devices, forexample a DVVL switching rocker arm. The status of valve lift isimportant information that confirms a successful switching operation, ordetects an error condition/malfunction. Valve stem position and relativemovement sensors can be used to for this function.

One embodiment to monitor the state of VVA switching, and to determineif there is a switching malfunction is illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 14A.In accordance with one aspect of the present teachings, a linearvariable differential transformer (LVDT) type of transducer can convertthe rectilinear motion of valve 872, to which it is coupledmechanically, into a corresponding electrical signal. LVDT linearposition sensors are readily available that can measure movements assmall as a few millionths of an inch up to several inches.

FIG. 14A shows the components of a typical LVDT installed in a valvestem guide 871. The LVDT internal structure consists of a primarywinding 899 centered between a pair of identically wound secondarywindings 897, 898. In embodiments, the windings 897, 898, 899 are woundin a recessed hollow formed in the valve guide body 871 that is boundedby a thin-walled section 878, a first end wall 895, and a second endwall 896. In this embodiment, the valve guide body 871 is stationary.

Now, as to FIGS. 14, 14A, and 14B, the moving element of this LVDTarrangement is a separate tubular armature of magnetically permeablematerial called the core 873. In embodiments, the core 873 is fabricatedinto the valve 872 stem using any suitable method and manufacturingmaterial, for example iron.

The core 873 is free to move axially inside the primary winding 899, andsecondary windings 897, 898, and it is mechanically coupled to the valve872, whose position is being measured. There is no physical contactbetween the core 873, and valve guide 871 inside bore.

In operation, the LVDT's primary winding, 899, is energized by applyingan alternating current of appropriate amplitude and frequency, known asthe primary excitation. The magnetic flux thus developed is coupled bythe core 873 to the adjacent secondary windings, 897 and 898.

As shown in 14A, if the core 873 is located midway between the secondarywindings 897, 898, an equal magnetic flux is then coupled to eachsecondary winding, making the respective voltages induced in windings897 and 898 equal. At this reference midway core 873 position, known asthe null point, the differential voltage output is essentially zero.

The core 873 is arranged so that it extends past both ends of winding899. As shown in FIG. 14B, if the core 873 is moved a distance 870 tomake it closer to winding 897 than to winding 898, more magnetic flux iscoupled to winding 897 and less to winding 898, resulting in a non-zerodifferential voltage. Measuring the differential voltages in this mannercan indicate both direction of movement and position of the valve 872.

In a second embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 14C and 14D, the LVDTarrangement described above is modified by removing the second coil 898in (FIG. 14A). When coil 898 is removed, the voltage induced in coil 897will vary relative to the end position 874 of the core 873. Inembodiments where the direction and timing of movement of the valve 872is known, only one secondary coil 897 is necessary to measure magnitudeof movement. As noted above, the core 873 portion of the valve can belocated and fabricated using several methods. For example, a weld at theend position 874 can join nickel base non-core material and iron basecore material, a physical reduction in diameter can be used to locateend position 874 to vary magnetic flux in a specific location, or a slugof iron-based material can be inserted and located at the end position874.

It will be appreciated in light of the disclosure that the LVDT sensorcomponents in one example can be located near the top of the valve guide871 to allow for temperature dissipation below that point. While such alocation can be above typical weld points used in valve stemfabrication, the weld could be moved or as noted. The location of thecore 873 relative to the secondary winding 897 is proportional to howmuch voltage is induced.

The use of an LVDT sensor as described above in an operating engine hasseveral advantages, including 1) Frictionless operation—in normal use,there is no mechanical contact between the LVDT's core 873 and coilassembly. No friction also results in long mechanical life. 2) Nearlyinfinite resolution—since an LVDT operates on electromagnetic couplingprinciples in a friction-free structure, it can measure infinitesimallysmall changes in core position, limited only by the noise in an LVDTsignal conditioner and the output display's resolution. Thischaracteristic also leads to outstanding repeatability, 3) Environmentalrobustness—materials and construction techniques used in assembling anLVDT result in a rugged, durable sensor that is robust to a variety ofenvironmental conditions. Bonding of the windings 897, 898, 899 may befollowed by epoxy encapsulation into the valve guide body 871, resultingin superior moisture and humidity resistance, as well as the capabilityto take substantial shock loads and high vibration levels. Additionally,the coil assembly can be hermetically sealed to resist oil and corrosiveenvironments. 4) Null point repeatability—the location of an LVDT's nullpoint, described previously, is very stable and repeatable, even overits very wide operating temperature range. 5) Fast dynamic response—theabsence of friction during ordinary operation permits an LVDT to respondvery quickly to changes in core position. The dynamic response of anLVDT sensor is limited only by small inertial effects due to the coreassembly mass. In most cases, the response of an LVDT sensing system isdetermined by characteristics of the signal conditioner. 6) Absoluteoutput—an LVDT is an absolute output device, as opposed to anincremental output device. This means that in the event of loss ofpower, the position data being sent from the LVDT will not be lost. Whenthe measuring system is restarted, the LVDT's output value will be thesame as it was before the power failure occurred.

The valve stem position sensor described above employs a LVDT typetransducer to determine the location of the valve stem during operationof the engine. The sensor may be any known sensor technology includingHall-effect sensor, electronic, optical and mechanical sensors that cantrack the position of the valve stem and report the monitored positionback to the ECU.

2.4.3 Part Position/Movement

Variable valve actuation (VVA) technologies are designed to change valvelift profiles during engine operation using switching devices, forexample a DVVL switching rocker arm. Changes in switching state may alsochange the position of component parts in VVA assemblies, either inabsolute terms or relative to one another in the assembly. Positionchange measurements can be designed and implemented to monitor the stateof VVA switching, and possibly determine if there is a switchingmalfunction.

Now, with reference to FIGS. 15-16, an exemplary DVVL switching rockerarm assembly 100 can be configured with an accurate non-contactingsensor 828 that measures relative movement, motion, or distance.

In one embodiment, movement sensor 828 is located near the first end 101(FIG. 15), to evaluate the movement of the outer arm 120 relative toknown positions for high-lift and low-lift modes. In this example,movement sensor 828 comprises a wire wound around a permanentlymagnetized core, and is located and oriented to detect movement bymeasuring changes in magnetic flux produced as a ferrous material passesthrough its known magnetic field. For example, when the outer arm tiebar 875, which is magnetic (ferrous material), passes through thepermanent magnetic field of the position sensor 828, the flux density ismodulated, inducing AC voltages in the coil and producing an electricaloutput that is proportional to the proximity of the tie bar 875. Themodulating voltage is input to the engine control unit (ECU) (describedin following sections), where a processor employs logic and calculationsto initiate rocker arm assembly 100 switching operations. Inembodiments, the voltage output may be binary, meaning that the absenceor presence of a voltage signal indicates high-lift or low-lift.

It can be seen that position sensor 828 may be positioned to measuremovement of other parts in the rocker arm assembly 100. In a secondembodiment, sensor 828 may be positioned at second end 103 of the DVVLrocker arm assembly 100 (FIG. 15) to evaluate the location of the innerarm 122 relative to the outer arm 120.

A third embodiment can position sensor 828 to directly evaluate thelatch 200 position in the DVVL rocker arm assembly 100. The latch 200and sensor 828 are engaged and fixed relative to each other when theyare in the latched state (high lift mode), and move apart for unlatched(low-lift) operation.

Movement may also be detected using and inductive sensor. Sensor 877 maybe a Hall-effect sensor, mounted in a way that allows measurement of themovement or lack of movement, for example the valve stem 112.

2.4.4 Pressure Characterization

Variable valve actuation (VVA) technologies are designed to change valvelift profiles during engine operation using switching devices, forexample a DVVL switching rocker arm. Because latch status is animportant input to the ECU that may enable it to perform variousfunctions, such as regulating fuel/air mixture to increase gas mileage,reduce pollution, or to regulate idle and knocking, measuring devices orsystems that confirm a successful switching operation, or detect anerror condition or malfunction are necessary for proper control. In somecases switching status reporting and error notification is necessary forregulatory compliance.

In embodiments comprising a hydraulically actuated DVVL system 800, asillustrated in FIG. 6, changes in switching state provide distincthydraulic switching fluid pressure signatures. Because fluid pressure isrequired to produce the necessary hydraulic stiffness that initiatesswitching, and because hydraulic fluid pathways are geometricallydefined with specific channels and chambers, a characteristic pressuresignature is produced that can be used to predictably determine latchedor unlatched status or a switching malfunction. Several embodiments canbe described that measure pressure, and compare measured results withknown and acceptable operating parameters. Pressure measurements can beanalyzed on a macro level by examining fluid pressure over severalswitching cycles, or evaluated over a single switching event lastingmilliseconds.

Now, with reference to FIGS. 6, 7, and 17, an example plot (FIG. 17)shows the valve lift height variation 882 over time for cylinder 1 asthe switching rocker assembly 100 operates in either high-lift orlow-lift, and switches between high-lift and low-lift. Correspondingdata for the hydraulic switching system are plotted on the same timescale (FIG. 17), including oil pressure 880 in the upper galleries 802,803 as measured using pressure transducer 890, and the electricalcurrent 881 used to open and close solenoid valves 822, 823 in the OCVassembly 820. As can be seen, this level of analysis on a macro levelclearly shows the correlation between OCV switching current 881, controlpressure 880, and lift 882 during all states of operation. For example,at time 0.1, the OCV is commanded to switch, as shown by an increasedelectrical current 881. When the OCV is switched, increased controlpressure 880 results in a high-lift to low-lift switching event. Asoperation is evaluated over one or more complete switching cycles,proper operation of the sub-system comprising the OCV and thepressurized fluid delivery system to the rocker arm assembly 100 can beevaluated. Switching malfunction determination can be enhanced withother independent measurements, for example valve stem movement asdescribed above. As can be seen, these analyses can be performed for anynumber of OCV's used to control intake and/or exhaust valves for one ormore cylinders.

Using a similar method, but using data measured and analyzed on themillisecond level during a switching event, provides enough detailedcontrol pressure information (FIGS. 17A, 17B) to independently evaluatea successful switching event or switching malfunction without measuringvalve lift or latch pin movement directly. In embodiments using thismethod, switching state is determined by comparing the measured pressuretransient to known operating state pressure transients developed duringtesting, and stored in the ECU for analysis. FIGS. 17A and 17Billustrate exemplary test data used to produce known operating pressuretransients for a switching rocker arm in a DVVL system.

The test system included four switching rocker arm assemblies 100 asshown in (FIG. 3), an OCV assembly 820 (FIG. 3), two upper oil controlgalleries 802, 803 (FIGS. 6-7), and a closed loop system to controlhydraulic actuating fluid temperature and pressure in the controlgalleries 802, 803. Each control gallery provided hydraulic fluid atregulated pressure to control two rocker arm assemblies 100. FIG. 17Aillustrates a valid single test run showing data when an OCV solenoidvalve is energized to initiate switching from high-lift to low-liftstate. Instrumentation was installed to measure latch movements 1003,pressure 880 in the control galleries 802, 803, OCV current 881,pressure 1001 in the hydraulic fluid supply 804 (FIG. 6-7), and latchlash and cam lash. The sequence of events can be described as follows:

-   -   0 ms—ECU switched on electrical current 881 to energize the OCV        solenoid valve    -   10 ms—Switching current 881 to the OCV solenoid is sufficient to        regulate pressure higher in the control gallery 802, 803 as        shown by pressure curve 880.    -   10-13 ms—The supply pressure curve 1001 decreases below the        pressure regulated by the OCV as hydraulic fluid flows from the        supply 804 (FIGS. 6-7) into the upper control galleries 802,        803. In response, pressure 880 increases rapidly in the control        galleries 802, 803. Latch pin movement begins as shown in latch        pin movement curve 1003.    -   13-15 ms—The supply pressure curve 1001 returns to a steady        unregulated state as flow stabilizes. Pressure 880 in the        control galleries 802, 803 increases to the higher pressure        regulated by the OCV.    -   15-20 ms—A pressure 880 increase/decrease transient in the        control galleries 802, 803 is produced as pressurized hydraulic        fluid pushes the latch fully back into position (latch pin        movement curve 1002), and hydraulic flow and pressure stabilizes        at the OCV unregulated pressure. Pressure spike 1003 is        characteristic of this transient.    -   At 12 ms and 17 ms distinctive pressure transients can be seen        in pressure curve 880 that coincide with sudden changes in latch        position 1002.

FIG. 17B illustrates a valid single test run showing data when an OCVsolenoid valve is de-energized to initiate switching from low-lift tohigh-lift state. The sequence of events can be described as follows:

-   -   0 ms—ECU switched off electrical current 881 to de-energize the        OCV solenoid valve    -   5 ms—OCV solenoid moves far enough to introduce regulated, lower        pressure, hydraulic fluid into enter the control galleries 802        and 803 (pressure curve 880).    -   5-7 ms—Pressure in the control galleries 802, 803, decreases        rapidly as shown by curve 880, as the OCV regulates pressure        lower.    -   7-12 ms—Coinciding with the low pressure point 1005, lower        pressure in the control galleries 802, 803 initiates latch        movement as shown by the latch movement curve 1002. Pressure        curve 880 transients are initiated as the latch spring 230        (FIG. 19) compresses and moves hydraulic fluid in the volume        engaging the latch.    -   12-15 ms—Pressure transients, shown in pressure curve 880, are        again introduced as the latch pin movement, shown by latch pin        movement curve 1002, completes.    -   15-30 ms—Pressure in control galleries 802, 803 stabilize at the        OCV regulated pressure as shown by pressure curve 880.    -   As noted above, at 7-10 ms and 13-20 ms distinctive pressure        transients can be seen in pressure curve 880 that coincide with        sudden changes in latch position 1002.

As noted previously, and in following sections, the fixed geometricconfiguration of the hydraulic channels, holes, clearances, andchambers, and the stiffness of the latch spring, are variables thatrelate to hydraulic response and mechanical switching speed for changesin regulated hydraulic fluid pressure. The pressure curves 880, in FIGS.17A and 17B describe a DVVL switching rocker arm system operating in anacceptable range. During operation, specific rates of increase ordecrease in pressure (curve slope) are characteristic of properoperation characterized by the timing of events listed above. Examplesof error conditions include: time shifting of pressure events that showdeterioration of latch response times, changes in rate of the occurrenceof events (pressure curve slope changes), or an overall decrease in theamplitude of pressure events. For example, a lower than anticipatedpressure increase in the 15-20 ms period indicates that the latch hasnot retracted completely, potentially resulting in a critical shift.

The test data in these examples were measured with oil pressure of 50psi and oil temperature of 70 degrees C. A series of tests in differentoperating conditions can provide a database of characteristic curves tobe used by the ECU for switching diagnosis.

An additional embodiment that utilizes pressure measurement to diagnoseswitching state is described. A DFHLA 110 as shown in FIG. 3 is used toboth manage lash, and supply hydraulic fluid for actuating VVA systemsthat employ switching rocker arm assemblies such as CDA or DVVL. Asshown in the section view of FIG. 52, normal lash adjustment for theDVVL rocker arm assembly 100, causes the ball plunger 601 to maintaincontact with the receiving socket of the inner arm assembly 622 duringboth high-lift and low-lift operation. When fully assembled in anengine, the DFHLA 110 is in a fixed position, while the inner rocker armassembly 622 exhibits rotational movement about the ball tip contactpoint 611. The rotational movement of the inner arm assembly 622 and theball plunger load 615 vary in magnitude when switching between high-liftand low-lift states. The ball plunger 601 is designed to move incompensation when loads and movement vary.

Compensating force for the ball plunger load 615 is provided byhydraulic fluid pressure in the lower control gallery 805 as it iscommunicated from the lower port 512 to chamber 905 (FIG. 11). As shownin FIGS. 6-7, hydraulic fluid at unregulated pressure is communicatedfrom the engine cylinder head, into the lower control gallery 805.

In embodiments, a pressure transducer is placed in the hydraulic gallery805 that feeds the lash adjuster part of the DFHLA 110. The pressuretransducer can be used to monitor the transient pressure change in thehydraulic gallery 805 that feeds the lash adjuster when transitioningfrom the high-lift state to the low-lift state or from the low-liftstate to the high-lift state. By monitoring the pressure signature whenswitching from one mode to another, the system may be able to detectwhen the variable valve actuation system is malfunctioning at any onelocation. A pressure signature curve, in embodiments plotted as pressureversus time in milliseconds, provides a characteristic shape that caninclude amplitude, slope, and/or other parameters.

For example, FIG. 17C shows a plot of intake valve lift profile curves814, 816 versus time in milliseconds, superimposed with a plot ofhydraulic gallery pressure curves 1005, 1006 versus the same time scale.Pressure curve 1006 and valve lift profile curve 816 correspond to thelow-lift state, and pressure curve 1005 and valve lift profile 814correspond to the high-lift state.

During steady state operation, pressure signature curves 1005, 1006exhibit cyclical behavior, with distinct spikes 1007, 1008 caused as theDFHLA compensates for alternating ball plunger loads 615 that areimparted as the cam pushes down the rocker arm assembly to compress thevalve spring (FIG. 3) and provide valve lift, as the valve springextends to close the valve, and when the cam is on base circle where nolift occurs. As shown in FIG. 17C, transient pressure spikes 1006, 1007correspond with the peak of the low-lift and high-lift profiles 816, 814respectively. As the hydraulic system pressure stabilizes, steady-statepressure signature curves 1005, 1006 resume.

As noted previously, and in following sections, the fixed geometricconfiguration of DFHLA hydraulic channels, holes, clearances, andchambers, are variables that relate to hydraulic response and pressuretransients for a given hydraulic fluid pressure and temperature. Thepressure signature curves 1005, 1006, in FIG. 17C describe a DVVLswitching rocker arm system operating in an acceptable range. Duringoperation, certain rates of increase or decrease in pressure (curveslopes), peak pressure values, and timing of peak pressures with respectto maximum lift are also be characteristic of proper operationcharacterized by the timing of switching events. Examples of errorconditions may include time shifting of pressure events, changes in rateof the occurrence of events (pressure curve slope changes), suddenunexpected pressure transients, or an overall decrease in the amplitudeof pressure events.

A series of tests in different operating conditions can provide adatabase of characteristic curves to be used by the ECU for switchingdiagnosis. One or several values of pressure can be used based on thesystem configuration and vehicle demands. The monitored pressure tracecan be compared to a standard trace to determine when the systemmalfunctions.

3. Switching Control and Logic

3.1. Engine Implementation

The DVVL hydraulic fluid system that delivers engine oil at a controlledpressure to the DVVL switching rocker arm 100, illustrated in FIG. 4, isdescribed in following sections as it may be installed on an intakevalve in a Type II valve train in a four cylinder engine. In alternateembodiments, this hydraulic fluid delivery system can be applied to anycombination of intake or exhaust valves on a piston-driven internalcombustion engines.

3.2. Hydraulic Fluid Delivery System to the Rocker Arm Assembly

With reference to FIGS. 3, 6 and 7, the hydraulic fluid system deliversengine oil 801 at a controlled pressure to the DVVL switching rocker arm100 (FIG. 4). In this arrangement, engine oil from the cylinder head 801that is not pressure regulated feeds into the HLA lower feed gallery805. As shown in FIG. 3, this oil is always in fluid communication withthe lower feed inlet 512 of the DFHLA, where it is used to performnormal hydraulic lash adjustment. Engine oil from the cylinder head 801that is not pressure regulated is also supplied to the oil control valveassembly inlet 821. As described previously, the OCV assembly 820 forthis DVVL embodiment comprises two independently actuated solenoidvalves that regulate oil pressure from the common inlet 821. Hydraulicfluid from the OCV assembly 820 first control port outlet 822 issupplied to the first upper gallery 802, and hydraulic fluid from thesecond control port 823 is supplied to the second upper gallery 803. Thefirst OCV determines the lift mode for cylinders one and two, and thesecond OCV determines the lift mode for cylinders three and four. Asshown in FIG. 18 and described in following sections, actuation ofvalves in the OCV assembly 820 is directed by the engine control unit825 using logic based on both sensed and stored information forparticular physical configuration, switching window, and set ofoperating conditions, for example, a certain number of cylinders and acertain oil temperature. Pressure regulated hydraulic fluid from theupper galleries 802, 803 is directed to the DFHLA upper port 506, whereit is transmitted through channel 509 to the switching rocker armassembly 100. As shown in FIG. 19, hydraulic fluid is communicatedthrough the rocker arm assembly 100 via the first oil gallery 144, andthe second oil gallery 146 to the latch pin assembly 201, where it isused to initiate switching between high-lift and low-lift states.

Purging accumulated air in the upper galleries 802, 803 is important tomaintain hydraulic stiffness and minimize variation in the pressure risetime. Pressure rise time directly affects the latch movement time duringswitching operations. The passive air bleed ports 832, 833 shown in FIG.6 were added to the high points in the upper galleries 802, 803 to ventaccumulated air into the cylinder head air space under the valve cover.

3.2.1 Hydraulic Fluid Delivery for Low-Lift Mode:

Now, with reference to FIG. 8, the DVVL system is designed to operatefrom idle to 3500 rpm in low-lift mode. A section view of the rocker armassembly 100 and the 3-lobed cam 102 shows low-lift operation. Majorcomponents of the assembly shown in FIGS. 8 and 19, include the innerarm 122, roller bearing 128, outer arm 120, slider pads 130, 132, latch200, latch spring 230, pivot axle 118, and lost motion torsion springs134, 136. For low-lift operation, when a solenoid valve in the OCVassembly 820 is energized, unregulated oil pressure at ≧2.0 Bar issupplied to the switching rocker arm assembly 100 through the controlgalleries 802, 803 and the DFHLA 110. The pressure causes the latch 200to retract, unlocking the inner arm 122 and outer arm 120, and allowingthem to move independently. The high-lift camshaft lobes 104, 106 (FIG.3) remain in contact with the sliding interface pads 130, 132 on theouter arm 120. The outer arm 120 rotates about the pivot axle 118 anddoes not impart any motion to the valve 112. This is commonly referredto as lost motion. Since the low-lift cam profile 816 (FIG. 5) isdesigned for early valve closing, the switching rocker arm 100 must bedesigned to absorb all of the motion from the high-lift camshaft lobes104, 106 (FIG. 3). Force from the lost motion torsion springs 134, 136(FIG. 15) ensure the outer arm 120 stays in contact with the high-liftlobe 104, 106 (FIG. 3). The low-lift lobe 108 (FIG. 3) contacts theroller bearing 128 on the inner arm 122 and the valve is opened per thelow lift early valve closing profile 816 (FIG. 5).

3.2.2 Hydraulic Fluid Delivery for High-Lift Mode

Now, with reference to FIG. 9, The DVVL system is designed to operatefrom idle to 7300 rpm in high-lift mode. A section view of the switchingrocker arm 100 and the 3-lobe cam 102 shows high-lift operation. Majorcomponents of the assembly are shown in FIGS. 9 and 19, including theinner arm 122, roller bearing 128, outer arm 120, slider pads 130, 132,latch 200, latch spring 230, pivot axle 118, and lost motion torsionsprings 134, 136.

Solenoid valves in the OCV assembly 820 are de-energized to enable highlift operation. The latch spring 230 extends the latch 200, locking theinner arm 122 and outer arm 120. The locked arms function like a fixedrocker arm. The symmetric high lift lobes 104, 106 (FIG. 3) contact theslider pads 130, (132 not shown) on the outer arm 120, rotating theinner arm 122 about the DFHLA 110 ball end 601 and opening the valve 112(FIG. 4) per the high lift profile 814 (FIG. 5). During this time,regulated oil pressure from 0.2 to 0.4 bar is supplied to the switchingrocker arm 100 through the control galleries 802, 803. Oil pressuremaintained at 0.2 to 0.4 bar keeps the oil passages full but does notretract the latch 200.

In high-lift mode, the dual feed function of the DFHLA is important toensure proper lash compensation of the valve train at maximum enginespeeds. The lower gallery 805 in FIG. 9 communicates cylinder head oilpressure to the lower DFHLA port 512 (FIG. 11). The lower portion of theDFHLA is designed to perform as a normal hydraulic lash compensationmechanism. The DFHLA 110 mechanism was designed to ensure the hydraulicshave sufficient pressure to avoid aeration and to remain full of oil atall engine speeds. Hydraulic stiffness and proper valve train functionare maintained with this system.

The table in FIG. 20 summarizes the pressure states in high-lift andlow-lift modes. Hydraulic separation of the DFHLA normal lashcompensation function from the rocker arm assembly switching function isalso shown. The engine starts in high-lift mode (latch extended andengaged), since this is the default mode.

3.3 Operating Parameters

An important factor in operating a DVVL system is the reliable controlof switching from high-lift mode to low-lift mode. DVVL valve actuationsystems can only be switched between modes during a predetermined windowof time. As described above, switching from high lift mode to low liftmode and vice versa is initiated by a signal from the engine controlunit (ECU) 825 (FIG. 18) using logic that analyzes stored information,for example a switching window for particular physical configuration,stored operating conditions, and processed data that is gathered bysensors. Switching window durations are determined by the DVVL systemphysical configuration, including the number of cylinders, the number ofcylinders controlled by a single OCV, the valve lift duration, enginespeed, and the latch response times inherent in the hydraulic controland mechanical system.

3.3.1 Gathered Data

Real-time sensor information includes input from any number of sensors,as illustrated in the exemplary DVVL system 800 illustrated in FIG. 6.Sensors may include 1) valve stem movement 829, as measured in oneembodiment using the linear variable differential transformer (LVDT)described previously, 2) motion/position 828 and latch position 827using a Hall-effect sensor or motion detector, 3) DFHLA movement 826using a proximity switch, Hall effect sensor, or other means, 4) oilpressure 830, and 5) oil temperature 890. Cam shaft rotary position andspeed may be gathered directly or inferred from the engine speed sensor.

In a hydraulically actuated VVA system, the oil temperature affects thestiffness of the hydraulic system used for switching in systems such asCDA and VVL. If the oil is too cold, its viscosity slows switching time,causing a malfunction. This relationship is illustrated for an exemplaryDVVL switching rocker arm system, in FIGS. 21-22. An accurate oiltemperature, taken with a sensor 890 shown in FIG. 6, located near thepoint of use rather than in the engine oil crankcase, provides the mostaccurate information. In one example, the oil temperature in a VVAsystem, monitored close to the oil control valves (OCV), must be greaterthan or equal to 20 degrees C. to initiate low-lift (unlatched)operation with the required hydraulic stiffness. Measurements can betaken with any number of commercially available components, for examplea thermocouple. The oil control valves are described further inpublished US Patent Applications US2010/0089347 published Apr. 15, 2010and US2010/0018482 published Jan. 28, 2010 both hereby incorporated byreference in their entirety.

Sensor information is sent to the Engine Control Unit (ECU) 825 as areal-time operating parameter (FIG. 18).

3.3.2 Stored Information

3.3.2.1 Switching Window Algorithms

Mechanical Switching Window:

The shape of each lobe of the three-lobed cam illustrated in FIG. 4comprises a base circle portion 605, 607, 609, where no lift occurs, atransition portion that is used to take up mechanical clearances priorto a lift event, and a lift portion that moves the valve 112. For theexemplary DVVL switching rocker arm 100, installed in system 800 (FIG.6), switching between high-lift and low-lift modes can only occur duringbase circle operation when there is no load on the latch that preventsit from moving. Further descriptions of this mechanism are provided infollowing sections. The no-lift portion 863 of base circle operation isshown graphically in FIG. 5. The DVVL system 800, switches within asingle camshaft revolution at speeds up to 3500 engine rpm at oiltemperatures of 20° C. and above. Switching outside of the timing windowor prescribed oil conditions may result in a critical shift event, whichis a shift in engine valve position during a point in the engine cyclewhen loading on the valve actuator switching component or on the enginevalve is higher than the structure is designed to accommodate whileswitching. A critical shift event may result in damage to the valvetrain and/or other engine parts. The switching window can be furtherdefined as the duration in cam shaft crank degrees needed to change thepressure in the control gallery and move the latch from the extended toretracted position and vice versa.

As previously described and shown in FIG. 7, the DVVL system has asingle OCV assembly 820 that contains two independently controlledsolenoid valves. The first valve controls the first upper gallery 802pressure and determines the lift mode for cylinders one and two. Thesecond valve controls the second upper gallery 803 pressure anddetermines the lift mode for cylinders three and four. FIG. 23illustrates the intake valve timing (lift sequence) for this OCVassembly 820 (FIG. 3) configuration relative to crankshaft angle for anin-line four cylinder engine with a cylinder firing order of (2-1-3-4).The high-lift intake valve profiles for cylinder two 851, cylinder one852, cylinder three 853, and cylinder four 854, are shown at the top ofthe illustration as lift plotted versus crank angle. Valve lift durationfor the corresponding cylinders are plotted in the lower section as liftduration regions 855, 856, 857, and 858 lift versus crank angle. No liftbase circle operating regions 863 for individual cylinders are alsoshown. A prescribed switching window must be determined to move thelatch within one camshaft revolution, with the stipulation that each OCVis configured to control two cylinders at once.

The mechanical switching window can be optimized by understanding andimproving latch movement. Now, with reference to FIGS. 24-25, themechanical configuration of the switching rocker arm assembly 100provides two distinct conditions that allow the effective switchingwindow to be increased. The first, called a high-lift latch restriction,occurs in high-lift mode when the latch 200 is locked in place by theload being applied to open the valve 112. The second, called a low-liftlatch restriction, occurs in the unlatched low-lift mode when the outerarm 120 blocks the latch 200 from extending under the outer arm 120.These conditions are described as follows:

High-Lift Latch Restriction:

FIG. 24 shows high-lift event where the latch 200 is engaged with theouter arm 120. As the valve is opened against the force supplied byvalve spring 114, the latch 200 transfers the force from the inner arm122 to the outer arm 120. When the spring 114 force is transferred bythe latch 200, the latch 200 becomes locked in its extended position. Inthis condition, hydraulic pressure applied by switching the OCV whileattempting to switch from high-lift to low-lift mode is insufficient toovercome the force locking the latch 200, preventing it from beingretracted. This condition extends the total switching window by allowingpressure application prior to the end of the high-lift event and theonset of base circle 863 (FIG. 23) operation that unloads the latch 200.When the force is released on the latch 200, a switching event cancommence immediately.

Low-Lift Latch Restriction:

FIG. 25 shows low lift operation where the latch 200 is retracted inlow-lift mode. During the lift portion of the event, the outer arm 120blocks the latch 200, preventing its extension, even if the OCV isswitched, and hydraulic fluid pressure is lowered to return to thehigh-lift latched state. This condition extends the total switchingwindow by allowing hydraulic pressure release prior to the end of thehigh-lift event and the onset of base circle 863 (FIG. 23). Once basecircle is reached, the latch spring 230 can extend the latch 200. Thetotal switching window is increased by allowing pressure relief prior tobase circle. When the camshaft rotates to base circle, switching cancommence immediately.

FIG. 26 illustrates the same information shown in FIG. 23, but is alsooverlaid with the time required to complete each step of the mechanicalswitching process during the transition between high-lift and low-liftstates. These steps represent elements of mechanical switching that areinherent in the design of the switching rocker arm assembly. Asdescribed for FIG. 23, the firing order of the engine is shown at thetop corresponding to the crank angle degrees referenced to cylinder twoalong with the intake valve profiles 851, 852, 853, 854. The latch 200must be moved while the intake cam lobes are on base circle 863(referred to as the mechanical switching window). Since each solenoidvalve in an OCV assembly 820 controls two cylinders, the switchingwindow must be timed to accommodate both cylinders while on theirrespective base circles. Cylinder two returns to base circle at 285degrees crank angle. Latch movement must be complete by 690 crank angledegrees prior to the next lift event for cylinder two. Similarly,cylinder one returns to base circle at 465 degrees and must completeswitching by 150 degrees. As can be seen, the switching window forcylinders one and two is slightly different. As can be seen, the firstOCV electrical trigger starts switching prior to the cylinder one intakelift event and the second OCV electrical trigger starts prior to thecylinder four intake lift event.

A worst case analysis was performed to define the switching times inFIG. 26 at the maximum switching speed of 3500 rpm. Note that the enginemay operate at much higher speeds of 7300 rpm; however, mode switchingis not allowed above 3500 rpm. The total switching window for cylindertwo is 26 milliseconds, and is broken into two parts: a 7 millisecondhigh-lift/low-lift latch restriction time 861, and a 19 millisecondmechanical switching time 864. A 10 millisecond mechanical response time862 is consistent for all cylinders. The 15 millisecond latch restrictedtime 861 is longer for cylinder one because OCV switching is initiatedwhile cylinder one is on an intake lift event, and the latch isrestricted from moving.

Several mechanical and hydraulic constraints that must be accommodatedto meet the total switching window. First, a critical shift 860, causedby switching that is not complete prior to the beginning of the nextintake lift event must be avoided. Second, experimental data shows thatthe maximum switching time to move the latch at the lowest allowableengine oil temperature of 20° C. is 10 milliseconds. As noted in FIG.26, there are 19 milliseconds available for mechanical switching 864 onthe base circle. Because all test data shows that the switchingmechanical response 862 will occur in the first 10 milliseconds, thefull 19 milliseconds of mechanical switching time 864 is not required.The combination of mechanical and hydraulic constraints defines aworst-case switching time of 17 milliseconds that includes latchrestricted time 861 plus latch mechanical response time 862.

The DVVL switching rocker arm system was designed with margin toaccomplish switching with a 9 millisecond margin. Further, the 9millisecond margin may allow mode switching at speeds above 3500 rpm.Cylinders three and four correspond to the same switching times as oneand two with different phasing as shown in FIG. 26. Electrical switchingtime required to activate the solenoid valves in the OCV assembly is notaccounted for in this analysis, although the ECU can easily becalibrated to consider this variable because the time from energizingthe OCV until control gallery oil pressure begins to change remainspredictable.

Now, as to FIGS. 4 and 25A, a critical shift may occur if the timing ofthe cam shaft rotation and the latch 200 movement coincide to load thelatch 200 on one edge, where it only partially engages on the outer arm120. Once the high-lift event begins, the latch 200 can slip anddisengage from the outer arm 120. When this occurs, the inner arm 122,accelerated by valve spring 114 forces, causes an impact between theroller bearing 128 and the low-lift cam lobe 108. A critical shift isnot desired as it creates a momentary loss of control of the rocker armassembly 100 and valve movement, and an impact to the system. The DVVLswitching rocker arm was designed to meet a lifetime worth of criticalshift occurrences.

3.3.2.2 Stored Operating Parameters

Operating parameters comprise stored information, used by the ECU 825(FIG. 18) for switching logic control, based on data collected duringextended testing as described in later sections. Several examples ofknown operating parameters may be described: In embodiments, 1) aminimum oil temperature of 20 degrees C. is required for switching froma high-lift state to a low-lift state, 2) a minimum oil pressure ofgreater than 2 Bar should be present in the engine sump for switchingoperations, 3) The latch response switching time varies with oiltemperature according to data plotted in FIGS. 21-22, 4) as shown inFIG. 17 and previously described, predictable pressure variations causedby hydraulic switching operations occur in the upper galleries 802, 803(FIG. 6) as determined by pressure sensors 890, 5) as shown in FIG. 5and previously described, known valve movement versus crank angle(time), based on lift profiles 814, 816 can be predetermined and stored.

3.3 Control Logic

As noted above, DVVL switching can only occur during a smallpredetermined window of time under certain operating conditions, andswitching the DVVL system outside of the timing window may result in acritical shift event, that could result in damage to the valve trainand/or other engine parts. Because engine conditions such as oilpressure, temperature, emissions, and load may vary rapidly, ahigh-speed processor can be used to analyze real-time conditions,compare them to known operating parameters that characterize a workingsystem, reconcile the results to determine when to switch, and send aswitching signal. These operations can be performed hundreds orthousands of times per second. In embodiments, this computing functionmay be performed by a dedicated processor, or by an existingmulti-purpose automotive control system referred to as the enginecontrol unit (ECU). A typical ECU has an input section for analog anddigital data, a processing section that includes a microprocessor,programmable memory, and random access memory, and an output sectionthat might include relays, switches, and warning light actuation.

In one embodiment, the engine control unit (ECU) 825 shown in FIGS. 6and 18 accepts input from multiple sensors such as valve stem movement829, motion/position 828, latch position 827, DFHLA movement 826, oilpressure 830, and oil temperature 890. Data such as allowable operatingtemperature and pressure for given engine speeds (FIG. 20), andswitching windows (FIG. 26 and described in other sections), is storedin memory. Real-time gathered information is then compared with storedinformation and analyzed to provide the logic for ECU 825 switchingtiming and control.

After input is analyzed, a control signal is output by the ECU 825 tothe OCV 820 to initiate switching operation, which may be timed to avoidcritical shift events while meeting engine performance goals such asimproved fuel economy and lowered emissions. If necessary, the ECU 825may also alert operators to error conditions.

4. DVVL Switching Rocker Arm Assembly

4.1 Assembly Description

A switching rocker arm, hydraulically actuated by pressurized fluid, forengaging a cam is disclosed. An outer arm and inner arm are configuredto transfer motion to a valve of an internal combustion engine. Alatching mechanism includes a latch, sleeve and orientation member. Thesleeve engages the latch and a bore in the inner arm, and also providesan opening for an orientation member used in providing the correctorientation for the latch with respect to the sleeve and the inner arm.The sleeve, latch and inner arm have reference marks used to determinethe optimal orientation for the latch.

An exemplary switching rocker arm 100 may be configured during operationwith a three lobed cam 102 as illustrated in the perspective view ofFIG. 4. Alternatively, a similar rocker arm embodiment could beconfigured to work with other cam designs such as a two lobed cam. Theswitching rocker arm 100 is configured with a mechanism to maintainhydraulic lash adjustment and a mechanism to feed hydraulic switchingfluid to the inner arm 122. In embodiments, a dual feed hydraulic lashadjuster (DFHLA) 110 performs both functions. A valve 112, spring 114,and spring retainer 116 are also configured with the assembly. The cam102 has a first and second high-lift lobe 104, 106 and a low lift lobe108. The switching rocker arm has an outer arm 120 and an inner arm 122,as shown in FIG. 27. During operation, the high-lift lobes 104, 106contact the outer arm 120 while the low lift-lobe contacts the inner arm122. The lobes cause periodic downward movement of the outer arm 120 andinner arm 122. The downward motion is transferred to the valve 112 byinner arm 122, thereby opening the valve. Rocker arm 100 is switchablebetween a high-lift mode and low-lift mode. In the high-lift mode, theouter arm 120 is latched to the inner arm 122. During engine operation,the high-lift lobes periodically push the outer arm 120 downward.Because the outer arm 120 is latched to the inner arm 122, the high-liftmotion is transferred from outer arm 120 to inner arm 122 and further tothe valve 112. When the rocker arm 100 is in its low-lift mode, theouter arm 120 is not latched to the inner arm 122, and so high-liftmovement exhibited by the outer arm 120 is not transferred to the innerarm 122. Instead, the low-lift lobe contacts the inner arm 122 andgenerates low lift motion that is transferred to the valve 112. Whenunlatched from inner arm 122, the outer arm 120 pivots about axle 118,but does not transfer motion to valve 112.

FIG. 27 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary switching rockerarm 100. The switching rocker arm 100 is shown by way of example onlyand it will be appreciated that the configuration of the switchingrocker arm 100 that is the subject of this disclosure is not limited tothe configuration of the switching rocker arm 100 illustrated in thefigures contained herein.

As shown in FIG. 27, the switching rocker arm 100 includes an outer arm120 having a first outer side arm 124 and a second outer side arm 126.An inner arm 122 is disposed between the first outer side arm 124 andsecond outer side arm 126. The inner arm 122 and outer arm 120 are bothmounted to a pivot axle 118, located adjacent the first end 101 of therocker arm 100, which secures the inner arm 122 to the outer arm 120while also allowing a rotational degree of freedom about the pivot axle118 of the inner arm 122 with respect to the outer arm 120. In additionto the illustrated embodiment having a separate pivot axle 118 mountedto the outer arm 120 and inner arm 122, the pivot axle 118 may be partof the outer arm 120 or the inner arm 122.

The rocker arm 100 illustrated in FIG. 27 has a roller bearing 128 thatis configured to engage a central low-lift lobe of a three-lobed cam.First and second slider pads 130, 132 of outer arm 120 are configured toengage the first and second high-lift lobes 104, 106 shown in FIG. 4.First and second torsion springs 134, 136 function to bias the outer arm120 upwardly after being displaced by the high-lift lobes 104, 106. Therocker arm design provides spring over-torque features.

First and second over-travel limiters 140, 142 of the outer arm preventover-coiling of the torsion springs 134, 136 and limit excess stress onthe springs 134, 136. The over-travel limiters 140, 142 contact theinner arm 122 on the first and second oil gallery 144, 146 when theouter arm 120 reaches its maximum rotation during low-lift mode. At thispoint, the interference between the over-travel limiters 140, 142 andthe galleries 144, 146 stops any further downward rotation of the outerarm 120. FIG. 28 illustrates a top-down view of rocker arm 100. As shownin FIG. 28, over-travel limiters 140, 142 extend from outer arm 120toward inner arm 122 to overlap with galleries 144, 146 of the inner arm122, ensuring interference between limiters 140, 142 and galleries 144,146. As shown in FIG. 29, representing a cross-section view taken alongline 29-29, contacting surface 143 of limiter 140 is contoured to matchthe cross-sectional shape of gallery 144. This assists in applying evendistribution of force when limiters 140, 142 make contact with galleries144, 146.

When the outer arm 120 reaches its maximum rotation during low-lift modeas described above, a latch stop 90, shown in FIG. 15, prevents thelatch from extending, and locking incorrectly. This feature can beconfigured as necessary, suitable to the shape of the outer arm 120.

FIG. 27 shows a perspective view from above of a rocker assembly 100showing torsion springs 134, 136 according to one embodiment of theteachings of the present application. FIG. 28 is a plan view of therocker assembly 100 of FIG. 27. This design shows the rocker armassembly 100 with torsion springs 134, 136 each coiled around aretaining axle 118.

The switching rocker arm assembly 100 must be compact enough to fit inconfined engine spaces without sacrificing performance or durability.Traditional torsion springs coiled from round wire sized to meet thetorque requirements of the design, in some embodiments, are too wide tofit in the allowable spring space 121 between the outer arm 120 and theinner arm 122, as illustrated in FIG. 28.

4.2 Torsion Spring

A torsion spring 134, 136 design and manufacturing process is describedthat results in a compact design with a generally rectangular shapedwire made with selected materials of construction.

Now, with reference to FIGS. 15, 28, 30A, and 30B, the torsion springs134, 136, are constructed from a wire 397 that is generally trapezoidalin shape. The trapezoidal shape is designed to allow wire 397 to deforminto a generally rectangular shape as force is applied during thewinding process. After torsion spring 134, 136 is wound, the shape ofthe resulting wires can be described as similar to a first wire 396 witha generally rectangular shape cross section. A section along line 8 inFIG. 28 shows two torsion spring 134, 136 embodiments, illustrated asmultiple coils 398, 399 in cross section. In a preferred embodiment,wire 396 has a rectangular cross sectional shape, with two elongatedsides, shown here as the vertical sides 402, 404 and a top 401 andbottom 403. The ratio of the average length of side 402 and side 404 tothe average length of top 401 and bottom 403 of the coil can be anyvalue less than 1. This ratio produces more stiffness along the coilaxis of bending 400 than a spring coiled with round wire with a diameterequal to the average length of top 401 and bottom 403 of the coil 398.In an alternate embodiment, the cross section wire shape has a generallytrapezoidal shape with a larger top 401 and a smaller bottom 403.

In this configuration, as the coils are wound, elongated side 402 ofeach coil rests against the elongated side 402 of the previous coil,thereby stabilizing the torsion springs 134, 136. The shape andarrangement holds all of the coils in an upright position, preventingthem from passing over each other or angling when under pressure.

When the rocker arm assembly 100 is operating, the generally rectangularor trapezoidal shape of the torsion springs 134, 136, as they bend aboutaxis 400 shown in FIGS. 30A, 30B, and FIG. 19, produces high partstress, particularly tensile stress on top surface 401.

To meet durability requirements, a combination of techniques andmaterials are used together. For example, the torsion springs 134, 136may be made of a material that includes Chrome Vanadium alloy steelalong with this design to improve strength and durability.

The torsion spring 134, 136 may be heated and quickly cooled to temperthe springs. This reduces residual part stress.

Impacting the surface of the wire 396, 397 used for creating the torsionsprings 134, 136 with projectiles, or ‘shot peening’ is used to putresidual compressive stress in the surface of the wire 396, 397. Thewire 396, 397 is then wound into the torsion springs 134, 136. Due totheir shot peening, the resulting torsion springs 134, 136 can nowaccept more tensile stress than identical springs made without shotpeening.

4.3 Torsion Spring Pocket

The switching rocker arm assembly 100 may be compact enough to fit inconfined engine spaces with minimal impact to surrounding structures.

A switching rocker arm 100 provides a torsion spring pocket withretention features formed by adjacent assembly components is described.

Now with reference to FIGS. 27, 19, 28, and 31, the assembly of theouter arm 120 and the inner arm 122 forms the spring pocket 119 as shownin FIG. 31. The pocket includes integral retaining features 119 for theends of torsion springs 134, 136 of FIG. 19.

Torsion springs 134, 136 can freely move along the axis of pivot axle118. When fully assembled, the first and second tabs 405, 406 on innerarm 122 retain inner ends 409, 410 of torsion springs 134, 136,respectively. The first and second over-travel limiters 140, 142 on theouter arm 120 assemble to prevent rotation and retain outer ends 407,408 of the first and second torsion springs 134, 136, respectively,without undue constraints or additional materials and parts.

4.4 Outer Arm

The design of outer arm 120 is optimized for the specific loadingexpected during operation, and its resistance to bending and torqueapplied by other means or from other directions may cause it to deflectout of specification. Examples of non-operational loads may be caused byhandling or machining. A clamping feature or surface built into thepart, designed to assist in the clamping and holding process whilegrinding the slider pads, a critical step needed to maintain parallelismbetween the slider pads as it holds the part stationary withoutdistortion. FIGS. 15 and 15A illustrate perspective views of the rockerarm 100. A first clamping lobe 150 protrudes from underneath the firstslider pad 130. A second clamping lobe (not shown) is similarly placedunderneath the second slider pad 132. During the manufacturing process,clamping lobes 150 of outer arm 120 are engaged by a clamping fixture165 engaging outer arm 120 with clamps 175 during grinding of the sliderpads 130, 132. Forces are applied to the clamping lobes 150 by theclamping fixture that restrain the outer arm 120 in a position thatresembles its assembled state as part of rocker arm assembly 100.Grinding of these surfaces requires that the pads 130, 132 remainparallel to one another and that the outer arm 120 not be distorted.Clamping at the clamping lobes 150 prevents distortion that may occur tothe outer arm 120 under other clamping arrangements. For example,clamping at the clamping lobes 150, which are preferably integral to theouter arm 120, assists in eliminating any mechanical stress that mayoccur by clamping that squeezes outer side arms 124, 126 toward oneanother. In another example, the location of clamping lobe 150immediately underneath slider pads 130, 132, results in substantiallyzero to minimal torque on the outer arm 120 caused by contact forceswith the grinding machine. In certain applications, it may be necessaryto apply pressure to other portions in outer arm 120 in order tominimize distortion.

4.5 DVVL Assembly Operation

FIG. 19 illustrates an exploded view of the switching rocker arm 100 ofFIGS. 27 and 15. With reference to FIGS. 19 and 28, when assembled,roller bearing 128 is part of a needle roller-type assembly 129, whichmay have needles 180 mounted between the roller bearing 128 and rolleraxle 182. Roller axle 182 is mounted to the inner arm 122 via rolleraxle apertures 183, 184.

Roller assembly 129 serves to transfer the rotational motion of thelow-lift cam 108 to the inner rocker arm 122, and in turn transfermotion to the valve 112 in the unlatched state. Pivot axle 118 ismounted to inner arm 122 through collar 123 and to outer arm 120 throughpivot axle apertures 160, 162 at the first end 101 of rocker arm 100.Lost motion rotation of the outer arm 120 relative to the inner arm 122in the unlatched state occurs about pivot axle 118. Lost motion movementin this context means movement of the outer arm 120 relative to theinner arm 122 in the unlatched state. This motion does not transmit therotating motion of the first and second high-lift lobe 104, 106 of thecam 102 to the valve 112 in the unlatched state.

Other configurations other than the roller assembly 129 and pads 130,132 also permit the transfer of motion from cam 102 to rocker arm 100.For example, a smooth non-rotating surface (not shown) such as pads 130,132 may be placed on inner arm 122 to engage low-lift lobe 108, androller assemblies may be mounted to rocker arm 100 to transfer motionfrom high-lift lobes 104, 106 to outer arm 120 of rocker arm 100.

Now, with reference to FIGS. 4, 19, and 12, as noted above, theexemplary switching rocker arm 100 uses a three-lobed cam 102.

To make the design compact, with dynamic loading as close as possible tonon-switching rocker arm designs, slider pads 130, 132 are used as thesurfaces that contact the cam lobes 104, 106 during operation inhigh-lift mode. Slider pads produce more friction during operation thanother designs such as roller bearings, and the friction between thefirst slider pad surface 130 and the first high-lift lobe surface 104,plus the friction between the second slider pad 132 and the secondhigh-lift lobe 106, creates engine efficiency losses.

When the rocker arm assembly 100 is in high-lift mode, the full load ofthe valve opening event is applied slider pads 130, 132. When the rockerarm assembly 100 is in low-lift mode, the load of the valve openingevent applied to slider pads 130, 132 is less, but present. Packagingconstraints for the exemplary switching rocker arm 100, require that thewidth of each slider pad 130, 132 as described by slider pad edge length710, 711 that come in contact with the cam lobes 104, 106 are narrowerthan most existing slider interface designs. This results in higher partloading and stresses than most existing slider pad interface designs.The friction results in excessive wear to cam lobes 104, 106, and sliderpads 130, 132, and when combined with higher loading, may result inpremature part failure. In the exemplary switching rocker arm assembly,a coating such as a diamond like carbon coating is used on the sliderpads 130, 132 on the outer arm 120.

A diamond-like carbon coating (DLC) coating enables operation of theexemplary switching rocker arm 100 by reducing friction, and at the sameproviding necessary wear and loading characteristics for the slider padsurfaces 130, 132. As can be easily seen, benefits of DLC coating can beapplied to any part surfaces in this assembly or other assemblies, forexample the pivot axle surfaces 160, 162, on the outer arm 120 describedin FIG. 19.

Although similar coating materials and processes exist, none aresufficient to meet the following DVVL rocker arm assemblyrequirements: 1) be of sufficient hardness, 2) have suitable loadbearingcapacity, 3) be chemically stable in the operating environment, 4) beapplied in a process where temperatures do not exceed the annealingtemperature for the outer arm 120, 5) meet engine lifetime requirements,and 6) offer reduced friction as compared to a steel on steel interface.The DLC coating process described earlier meets the requirements setforth above, and is applied to slider pad surfaces 130, 132, which areground to a final finish using a grinding wheel material and speed thatis developed for DLC coating applications. The slider pad surfaces 130,132 are also polished to a specific surface roughness, applied using oneof several techniques, for example vapor honing or fine particle sandblasting.

4.5.1 Hydraulic Fluid System

The hydraulic latch for rocker arm assembly 100 must be built to fitinto a compact space, meet switching response time requirements, andminimize oil pumping losses. Oil is conducted along fluid pathways at acontrolled pressure, and applied to controlled volumes in a way thatprovides the necessary force and speed to activate latch pin switching.The hydraulic conduits require specific clearances and sizes so that thesystem has the correct hydraulic stiffness and resulting switchingresponse time. The design of the hydraulic system must be coordinatedwith other elements that comprise the switching mechanism, for examplethe biasing spring 230.

In the switching rocker arm 100, oil is transmitted through a series offluid-connected chambers and passages to the latch pin assembly 201, orany other hydraulically activated latch pin mechanism. As describedabove, the hydraulic transmission system begins at oil flow port 506 inthe DFHLA 110, where oil or another hydraulic fluid at a controlledpressure is introduced. Pressure can be modulated with a switchingdevice, for example, a solenoid valve. After leaving the ball plungerend601, oil or other pressurized fluid is directed from this singlelocation, through the first oil gallery 144 and the second oil gallery146 of the inner arm discussed above, which have bores sized to minimizepressure drop as oil flows from the ball socket 502, shown in FIG. 10,to the latch pin assembly 201 in FIG. 19.

The latch pin assembly 201 for latching inner arm 122 to outer arm 120,which in the illustrated embodiment is found near second end 103 ofrocker arm 100, is shown in FIG. 19 as including a latch pin 200 that isextended in high-lift mode, securing inner arm 122 to outer arm 120. Inlow-lift mode, latch 200 is retracted into inner arm 122, allowing lostmotion movement of outer arm 120. Oil pressure is used to control latchpin 200 movement.

As illustrated in FIG. 32, one embodiment of a latch pin assembly showsthat the oil galleries 144, 146 (shown in FIG. 19) are in fluidcommunication with the chamber 250 through oil opening 280.

The oil is provided to oil opening 280 and the latch pin assembly 201 ata range of pressures, depending on the required mode of operation.

As can be seen in FIG. 33, upon introduction of pressurized oil intochamber 250, latch 200 retracts into bore 240, allowing outer arm 120 toundergo lost motion rotation with respect to inner arm 122. Oil can betransmitted between the first generally cylindrical surface 205 andsurface 241, from first chamber 250 to second chamber 420 shown in FIG.32.

Some of the oil exits back to the engine through hole 209, drilled intothe inner arm 122. The remaining oil is pushed back through thehydraulic pathways as the biasing spring 230 expands when it returns tothe latched high-lift state. It can be seen that a similar flow path canbe employed for latch mechanisms that are biased for normally unlatchedoperation.

The latch pin assembly design manages latch pin response time through acombination of clearances, tolerances, hole sizes, chamber sizes, springdesigns, and similar metrics that control the flow of oil. For example,the latch pin design may include features such as a dual diameter pindesigned with an active hydraulic area to operate within tolerance in agiven pressure range, an oil sealing land designed to limit oil pumpinglosses, or a chamfer oil in-feed.

Now, with reference to FIGS. 32-34, latch 200 contains design featuresthat provide multiple functions in a limited space:

-   -   1. Latch 200 employs the first generally cylindrical surface 205        and the second generally cylindrical surface 206. First        generally cylindrical surface 205 has a diameter larger than        that of the second generally cylindrical surface 206. When pin        200 and sleeve 210 are assembled together in bore 240, a chamber        250 is formed without employing any additional parts. As noted,        this volume is in fluid communication with oil opening 280.        Additionally, the area of pressurizing surface 422, combined        with the transmitted oil pressure, can be controlled to provide        the necessary force to move the pin 200, compress the biasing        spring 230, and switch to low-lift mode (unlatched).    -   2. The space between the first generally cylindrical surface 205        and the adjacent bore wall 241 is intended to minimize the        amount of oil that flows from chamber 250 into second chamber        420. The clearance between the first generally cylindrical        surface 205 and surface 241 must be closely controlled to allow        freedom of movement of pin 200 without oil leakage and        associated oil pumping losses as oil is transmitted between        first generally cylindrical surface 205 and surface 241, from        chamber 250 to second chamber 420.    -   3. Package constraints require that the distance along the axis        of movement of the pin 200 be minimized. In some operating        conditions, the available oil sealing land 424 may not be        sufficient to control the flow of oil that is transmitted        between first generally cylindrical surface 205 and surface 241,        from chamber 250 to the second chamber 420. An annular sealing        surface is described. As latch 200 retracts, it encounters bore        wall 208 with its rear surface 203. In one preferred embodiment,        rear surface 203 of latch 200 has a flat annular or sealing        surface 207 that lies generally perpendicular to first and        second generally cylindrical bore wall 241, 242, and parallel to        bore wall 208. The flat annular surface 207 forms a seal against        bore wall 208, which reduces oil leakage from chamber 250        through the seal formed by first generally cylindrical surface        205 of latch 200 and first generally cylindrical bore wall 241.        The area of sealing surface 207 is sized to minimize separation        resistance caused by a thin film of oil between the sealing        surface 207 and the bore wall 208 shown in FIG. 32, while        maintaining a seal that prevents pressurized oil from flowing        between the sealing surface 207 and the bore wall 208, and out        hole 209.    -   4. In one latch pin 200 embodiment, an oil in-feed surface 426,        for example a chamfer, provides an initial pressurizing surface        area to allow faster initiation of switching, and overcome        separation resistance caused by a thin film of oil between the        pressurization surface 422 and the sleeve end 427. The size and        angle of the chamfer allows ease of switching initiation,        without unplanned initiation due to oil pressure variations        encountered during normal operation. In a second latch pin 200        embodiment, a series of castellations 428, arranged radially as        shown in FIG. 34, provide an initial pressurizing surface area,        sized to allow faster initiation of switching, and overcome        separation resistance caused by a thin film of oil between the        pressurization surface 422 and the sleeve end 427.

An oil in-feed surface 426 can also reduce the pressure and oil pumpinglosses required for switching by lowering the requirement for thebreakaway force between pressurization surface 422 and the sleeve end427. These relationships can be shown as incremental improvements toswitching response and pumping losses.

As oil flows throughout the previously-described switching rocker armassembly 100 hydraulic system, the relationship between oil pressure andoil fluid pathway area and length largely defines the reaction time ofthe hydraulic system, which also directly affects switching responsetime. For example, if high pressure oil at high velocity enters a largevolume, its velocity will suddenly slow, decreasing its hydraulicreaction time, or stiffness. A range of these relationships that arespecific to the operation of switching rocker arm assembly 100 can becalculated. One relationship, for example, can be described as follows:oil at a pressure of 2 bar is supplied to chamber 250, where the oilpressure, divided by the pressurizing surface area, transmits a forcethat overcomes biasing spring 230 force, and initiates switching within10 milliseconds from latched to unlatched operation.

A range of characteristic relationships that result in acceptablehydraulic stiffness and response time, with minimized oil pumping lossescan be calculated from system design variables that can be defined asfollows:

-   -   Oil gallery 144, 146 inside diameter and length from the ball        socket 502 to hole 280.    -   Bore hole 280 diameter and length    -   Area of pressurizing surface 422    -   The volume of chamber 250 in all states of operation    -   The volume of second chamber 420 in all states of operation    -   Cross-sectional area created by the space between first        generally cylindrical surface 205 and surface 241.    -   The length of oil sealing land 424    -   The area of the flat annular surface 207    -   The diameter of hole 209    -   Oil pressure supplied by the DFHLA 110    -   Stiffness of biasing spring 230    -   The cross sectional area and length of flow channels 504, 508,        509    -   The area and number of oil in-feed surfaces 426.    -   The number and cross sectional area of castellations 428

Latch response times for the previously described hydraulic arrangementin switching rocker arm 100 can be described for a range of conditions,for example:

Oil temperatures: 10° C. to 120° C.

Oil type: 5w-20 weight

This conditions result in a range of oil viscosities that affect thelatch response time.

4.5.2 Latch Pin Mechanism

The latch pin mechanism 201 of rocker arm assembly 100 provides a meansof mechanically switching from high-lift to low-lift and vice versa. Alatch pin mechanism can be configured to be normally in an unlatched orlatched state. Several preferred embodiments can be described.

In one embodiment, the latch pin assembly 201 for latching inner arm 122to outer arm 120, which is found near second end 103 of rocker arm 100,is shown in FIG. 19 as comprising latch pin 200, sleeve 210, orientationpin 220, and latch spring 230. The latch pin assembly 201 is configuredto be mounted inside inner arm 122 within bore 240. As explained below,in the assembled rocker arm 100, latch 200 is extended in high-liftmode, securing inner arm 122 to outer arm 120. In low-lift mode, latch200 is retracted into inner arm 122, allowing lost motion movement ofouter arm 120. Switched oil pressure, as described previously, isprovided through the first and second oil gallery 144, 146 to controlwhether latch 200 is latched or unlatched. Plugs 170 are inserted intogallery holes 172 to form a pressure tight seal closing first and secondoil gallery 144, 146 and allowing them to pass oil to latching mechanism201.

FIG. 32 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the latching mechanism 201in its latched state along the line 32, 33-32, 33 in FIG. 28. A latch200 is disposed within bore 240. Latch 200 has a spring bore 202 inwhich biasing spring 230 is inserted. The latch 200 has a rear surface203 and a front surface 204. Latch 200 also employs the first generallycylindrical surface 205 and a second generally cylindrical surface 206.First generally cylindrical surface 205 has a diameter larger than thatof the second generally cylindrical surface 206. Spring bore 202 isgenerally concentric with surfaces 205, 206.

Sleeve 210 has a generally cylindrical outer surface 211 that interfacesa first generally cylindrical bore wall 241, and a generally cylindricalinner surface 215. Bore 240 has a first generally cylindrical bore wall241, and a second generally cylindrical bore wall 242 having a largerdiameter than first generally cylindrical bore wall 241. The generallycylindrical outer surface 211 of sleeve 210 and first generallycylindrical surface 205 of latch 200 engage first generally cylindricalbore wall 241 to form tight pressure seals. Further, the generallycylindrical inner surface 215 of sleeve 210 also forms a tight pressureseal with second generally cylindrical surface 206 of latch 200. Duringoperation, these seals allow oil pressure to build in chamber 250, whichencircles second generally cylindrical surface 206 of latch 200.

The default position of latch 200, shown in FIG. 32, is the latchedposition. Spring 230 biases latch 200 outwardly from bore 240 into thelatched position. Oil pressure applied to chamber 250 retracts latch 200and moves it into the unlatched position. Other configurations are alsopossible, such as where spring 230 biases latch 200 in the unlatchedposition, and application of oil pressure between bore wall 208 and rearsurface 203 causes latch 200 to extend outwardly from the bore 240 tolatch outer arm 120.

In the latched state, latch 200 engages a latch surface 214 of outer arm120 with arm engaging surface 213. As shown in FIG. 32, outer arm 120 isimpeded from moving downward and will transfer motion to inner arm 122through latch 200. An orientation feature 212 takes the form of achannel into which orientation pin 221 extends from outside inner arm122 through first pin opening 217 and then through second pin opening218 in sleeve 210. The orientation pin 221 is generally solid andsmooth. A retainer 222 secures pin 221 in place. The orientation pin 221prevents excessive rotation of latch 200 within bore 240.

As previously described, and seen in FIG. 33, upon introduction ofpressurized oil into chamber 250, latch 200 retracts into bore 240,allowing outer arm 120 to undergo lost motion rotation with respect toinner arm 122. The outer arm 120 is then no longer impeded by latch 200from moving downward and exhibiting lost motion movement. Pressurizedoil is introduced into chamber 250 through oil opening 280, which is influid communication with oil galleries 144, 146.

FIGS. 35A-35F illustrate several retention devices for orientation pin221. In FIG. 35A, pin 221 is cylindrical with a uniform thickness. Apush-on ring 910, as shown in FIG. 35C is located in recess 224 locatedin sleeve 210. Pin 221 is inserted into ring 910, causing teeth 912 todeform and secure pin 221 to ring 910. Pin 221 is then secured in placedue to the ring 910 being enclosed within recess 224 by inner arm 122.In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 35B, pin 221 has a slot 902 inwhich teeth 912 of ring 910 press, securing ring 910 to pin 221. Inanother embodiment shown in FIG. 35D, pin 221 has a slot 904 in which anE-styled clip 914 of the kind shown in FIG. 35E, or a bowed E-styledclip 914 as shown in FIG. 35F may be inserted to secure pin 221 in placewith respect to inner arm 122. In yet other embodiments, wire rings maybe used in lieu of stamped rings. During assembly, the E-styled clip 914is placed in recess 224, at which point the sleeve 210 is inserted intoinner arm 122, then, the orientation pin 221 is inserted through theclip 910.

An exemplary latch 200 is shown in FIG. 36. The latch 200 is generallydivided into a head portion 290 and a body portion 292. The frontsurface 204 is a protruding convex curved surface. This surface shapeextends toward outer arm 120 and results in an increased chance ofproper engagement of arm engaging surface 213 of latch 200 with outerarm 120. Arm engaging surface 213 comprises a generally flat surface.Arm engaging surface 213 extends from a first boundary 285 with secondgenerally cylindrical surface 206 to a second boundary 286 and from aboundary 287 with the front surface to a boundary 233 with surface 232.The portion of arm engaging surface 213 that extends furthest fromsurface 232 in the direction of the longitudinal axis A of latch 200 islocated substantially equidistant between first boundary 285 and secondboundary 286. Conversely, the portion of arm engaging surface 213 thatextends the least from surface 232 in the axial direction A is locatedsubstantially at first and second boundaries 285, 286. Front surface 204need not be a convex curved surface but instead can be a v-shapedsurface, or some other shape. The arrangement permits greater rotationof the latch 200 within bore 240 while improving the likelihood ofproper engagement of arm engaging surface 213 of latch 200 with outerarm 120.

An alternative latching mechanism 201 is shown in FIG. 37. Anorientation plug 1000, in the form of a hollow cup-shaped plug, ispress-fit into sleeve hole 1002 and orients latch 200 by extending intoorientation feature 212, preventing latch 200 from rotating excessivelywith respect to sleeve 210. As discussed further below, an aligning slot1004 assists in orienting the latch 200 within sleeve 210 and ultimatelywithin inner arm 122 by providing a feature by which latch 200 may berotated within the sleeve 210. The alignment slot 1004 may serve as afeature with which to rotate the latch 200, and also to measure itsrelative orientation.

With reference to FIGS. 38-40, an exemplary method of assembling aswitching rocker arm 100 is as follows: the orientation plug 1000 ispress-fit into sleeve hole 1002 and latch 200 is inserted into generallycylindrical inner surface 215 of sleeve 210.

The latch pin 200 is then rotated clockwise until orientation feature212 reaches plug 1000, at which point interference between theorientation feature 212 and plug 1000 prevents further rotation. Anangle measurement A1, as shown in FIG. 38, is then taken correspondingto the angle between arm engaging surface 213 and sleeve references1010, 1012, which are aligned to be perpendicular to sleeve hole 1002.Aligning slot 1004 may also serve as a reference line for latch 200, andkey slots 1014 may also serve as references located on sleeve 210. Thelatch pin 200 is then rotated counterclockwise until orientation feature212 reaches plug 1000, preventing further rotation. As seen in FIG. 39,a second angle measurement A2 is taken corresponding to the anglebetween arm engaging surface 213 and sleeve references 1010, 1012.Rotating counterclockwise and then clockwise is also permissible inorder to obtain A1 and A2. As shown in FIG. 40, upon insertion into theinner arm 122, the sleeve 210 and pin subassembly 1200 is rotated by anangle A as measured between inner arm references 1020 and sleevereferences 1010, 1012, resulting in the arm engaging surface 213 beingoriented horizontally with respect to inner arm 122, as indicated byinner arm references 1020. The amount of rotation A should be chosen tomaximize the likelihood the latch 200 will engage outer arm 120. Onesuch example is to rotate subassembly 1200 an angle half of thedifference of A2 and AI as measured from inner arm references 1020.Other amounts of adjustment A are possible within the scope of thepresent disclosure.

A profile of an alternative embodiment of pin 1000 is shown in FIG. 41.Here, the pin 1000 is hollow, partially enclosing an inner volume 1050.The pin has a substantially cylindrical first wall 1030 and asubstantially cylindrical second wall 1040. The substantiallycylindrical first wall 1030 has a diameter D1 larger than diameter D2 ofsecond wall 1040. In one embodiment shown in FIG. 41, a flange 1025 isused to limit movement of pin 1000 downwardly through pin opening 218 insleeve 210. In a second embodiment shown in FIG. 42, a press-fit limitsmovement of pin 1000 downwardly through pin opening 218 in sleeve 210.

The latch embodiments described above utilize a flat mating surface toengage or disengage during switching operations, thus providing apredictable contact area with relatively low contact stress for themating parts. As described above, this pin design requires additionalparts and features to ensure proper orientation during operation, addingcomplexity and cost to the rocker arm manufacturing and assemblyprocess.

Another latch embodiment incorporates a round or other non-flat latchpin that eliminates the need to provide pin orientation. In the past iswas thought that in order to utilize a round or other non-flat rockerarm latch, the mating surface would require an expensive high-tolerance‘ground-in’ curved mating surface, or latch seat, with a radius veryclosely matching the latch pin radius. A seat that is slightly too smallmay cause sticking, a delayed release, and possibly cause impact withthe corners of the latch seat. A latch seat that is too large allows toomuch lateral motion. As described below, a round or other non-flat latchembodiment that does not require grinding can be produced using acoining process.

In the example shown, for a truly round latch with no flat latch shelf,the need to orient the latch in the rocker arm that it resides in iseliminated. By eliminating the need to orient the latch, assembly partsand risk may be eliminated.

This process will also likely reduce or eliminate the need to categorizelatch, inner arm, and outer arm dimensions required to meet lashrequirements for a given rocker arm assembly. This is accomplished bybeing able to adjust the latch lash at the end of the assemblyprocesses.

A method for manufacturing a rocker arm assembly that utilizes a roundor non-flat latch embodiment is described later. As noted, this processmodifies this mating surface by way of a coining process.

The present invention employs a non-flat latch, such as a latch with around cross section that interfaces with a latch seat that has beenmodified from a flat section. The present invention includes a designthat can achieve a curved mating surface that matches what the latchrequirements are, and does not require a grinding process. The processmodifies this mating surface by way of a coining process. By using atruly round latch with no flat latch shelf we eliminate the need toorient the latch in the rocker arm that it resides in. By eliminatingthe need to orient the latch you eliminate parts from the assembly andrisk from the assembly.

This process will likely reduce or eliminate categories of latches andthe need to categorize the inner and outer arm. This is accomplished bybeing able to adjust the latch lash at the end of the assemblyprocesses.

The description here explains a VVL rocker arm assembly that has anormally unlatched latch position. This process also can be used for aCDA rocker arm assembly, and other switching rocker arm assemblies. Therocker assembly is partially assembled with a roller bearing installed.The latch hasn't been installed at this point.

The second end 103 of the outer arm 120 has been investment cast and thelatch seat 214 has been coined flat as shown in FIGS. 134 and 135.

Next, the outer arm will be 3-point located on a fixture so that it issupported under the arm directly below the pivot holes on both sides ofthe arm. It will then be located with a swivel locator directly in themiddle of the latch mating surface, giving a 3-point location. It willthen be clamped directly above these points with swivel foot clamps soas not to distort the part.

Now the pivot hole will be machined. Next this outer arm will be heattreated. Now the pivot hole will be honed.

After that, the pivot holes are honed. The part is mounted on a fixturewith a pin passing through the pivot holes of the outer arm 120 and thedatum hole on the fixture. The outer arm 120 will also rest on a swivelfoot post that is directly below the coined latch pad surface, againgiving 3 point location and eliminating part distortion. While on thisfixture the stop bar will be machined to the proper height and parallelto the pivot hole axis. Now the outer arm will be located on the pivotholes and the stop bar to do the final grind on the slider pads. Botharms will now be assembled. Springs are installed on the inner armspring posts then the two arms are assembled and pivot pin is installed.

FIG. 134 shows a partially assembled switching rocker arm assembly 100as viewed from its second end 103. This view shows the bottom sideupward, such that the lower cross arm 439 is visible. The inner armassembly 622 (also shown in FIGS. 44 and 45) is hanging downward. Thisshows a latch bore 240 (that is also shown in FIGS. 19, 33).

This end 103 of the outer arm 120 also shows the latch stop 90. (FIG. 15shows another view of the latch stop 15.) As indicated above, prior artmethods of machining the latch seat were done only on the outer arm 120and were measured independent of the other parts, and not as anassembly. Since the outer arm 120 was machined by itself, theconnections to other parts were not taken into account duringmeasurements. In the current method and device, the assembled, orpartially assembled switching rocker arm assembly 100 is processed andmeasured interactively. Therefore, the lash contributed by the assemblyis measured instead of the lash originating from a single part. FIG. 135is a perspective view showing the switching rocker arm assembly with alatch rod 199 inserted into, and extending from latch bore 240. Thelatch rod 199 is intended to be made of a material that is harder thanthe material of the latch seat 214. The switching rocker arm assembly100 is in the latched position in which the latch pin (here, the latchrod 199) is extended and rests upon the latch seat 214.

FIG. 136 shows a manufacturing fixture 310 directed toward completingmanufacture of the switching rocker arm assembly 100. Specifically, itwill be used in holding the switching rocker arm assembly 100 whencreating precise impressions or indentations in the latch seat 214 ofFIGS. 134, 135.

The switching rocker arm assembly 100 is now placed on the fixture shownin FIG. 136 that has a post to simulate a ball plunger and a post tosimulate a valve tip. The manufacturing fixture 310 as shown in thisembodiment is a three-point mount. It has a support shelf 311 sized andshaped to support a latch pin or similarly shaped structure when aswitching rocker arm assembly is mounted on the manufacturing fixture310. There is a valve stem post 315 for supporting a first end (101 ofFIG. 15) of the switching rocker arm assembly and a valve stem post 313for supporting a second end (103 OF FIG. 15) of the switching rocker armassembly.

The inner arm will rest on the ball plunger post 315 and be guided fromside to side by the valve tip post. The latch rod 199, sized to have atight slip fit into the latch bore 240, is then slid into the latch boreof the inner arm 122. The latch rod 199 will extend out of the inner arm122 (for example, by approximately 10 mm). The latch rod 199 will thenrest on a flat carbide support shelf 311 on the manufacturing fixture310. At this point the rocker arm assembly 100 is being supported by theball plunger post 315 and the latch rod 199 sitting on the support shelf311 as shown in FIG. 137.

The rocker arm assembly 100 is being controlled from side to side by theball plunger post 315 and the valve tip post 313. Now a load is appliedby a press 317 to the outer arm 120 directly above the latch surface andon top of the outer arm 120. (The press may be a hydraulic, screw, orany other form of controlled power press.) This load will be increaseduntil the correct latch lash is achieved. The latch seat 214 of theouter arm 120 now has a perfectly coined indention in the surface thatdirectly matches the latch pin (200 of FIGS. 8, 9).

FIG. 138 is a disassembled view of the outer arm 120 after the processshowing the latch seat 214. By creating this indention the latch pin(200 of FIGS. 8, 9) no longer has point contact and the latch seat 214will have a contact stress level that is low enough to operate withoutfailure. Since the latch seat is formed with the nearly fully assembledswitching rocker arm assembly 100, it should be noted that the switchingrocker arm assembly 100 only need to have the latch pin inserted tocomplete the assembly process after the process of forming theimpression in the latch seat 214. The disassembled view of the outer arm120 in FIG. 138 was provided only to show the impression made in thelatch seat 214.

Below is an example of steps to implement the process.

-   1. Mill the mating surface into a flat latch seat 214.-   2. Apply loads through the outer arm 120 onto a latch rod 199 (which    is preferably a carbide pin) that simulates a latch pin that is    located in the latch bore 240 of the inner rocker arm 122 to coin,    indent or form an impression in the latch seat 214. (The carbide    pin/rod could also be of any material found to suitable for the    coining/indenting process.)-   3. This will require a manufacturing fixture 310 to hold the    assembly in a press.-   4. Increase loads until a desired deformation or chord depth is    achieved in the latch seat 214 for a desired lash.-   5. Measure traces across the outer arm 120 at each incremental load    increase and record and place trace data.-   6. The traces should be taken at the inner most edge and the mid pad    areas for each load.-   7. The inner arm 122 is reassembled with a standard round latch    assembly 200.-   8. The cam lash and total lash are measured to verify that the    assembly meets specifications.

4.6 DVVL Assembly Lash Management

A method of managing three or more lash values, or design clearances, inthe DVVL switching rocker arm assembly 100 shown in FIG. 4, isdescribed. Methods may include a range of manufacturing tolerances, wearallowances, and design profiles for cam lobe/rocker arm contactsurfaces.

DVVL Assembly Lash Description

An exemplary rocker arm assembly 100 shown in FIG. 4, has one or morelash values that must be maintained in one or more locations in theassembly. The three-lobed cam 102, illustrated in FIG. 4, is comprisedof three cam lobes, a first high lift lobe 104, a second high lift lobe106, and a low lift lobe 108. Cam lobes 104, 106, and 108, are comprisedof profiles that respectively include a base circle 605, 607, 609,described as generally circular and concentric with the cam shaft.

The switching rocker arm assembly 100 shown in FIG. 4 was designed tohave small clearances (lash) in two locations. The first location,illustrated in FIG. 43, is latch lash 602, the distance between latchpad surface 214 and the arm engaging surface 213. Latch lash 602 ensuresthat the latch 200 is not loaded and can move freely when switchingbetween high-lift and low-lift modes. As shown in FIGS. 4, 27, 43, and49, a second example of lash, the distance between the first slider pad130 and the first high lift cam lobe base circle 605, is illustrated ascamshaft lash 610. Camshaft lash 610 eliminates contact, and byextension, friction losses, between slider pads 130, 132, and theirrespective high lift cam lobe base circles 605, 607 when the rollerbearing 128, shown in FIG. 49, is contacting the low-lift cam basecircle 609 during low-lift operation.

During low-lift mode, camshaft lash 610 also prevents the torsion spring134, 136 force from being transferred to the DFHLA 110 during basecircle 609 operation. This allows the DFHLA 110 to operate like astandard rocker arm assembly with normal hydraulic lash compensationwhere the lash compensation portion of the DFHLA is supplied directlyfrom an engine oil pressure gallery. As shown in FIG. 47, this action isfacilitated by the rotational stop 621, 623 within the switching rockerarm assembly 100 that prevents the outer arm 120 from rotatingsufficiently far due to the torsion spring 134, 136 force to contact thehigh lift lobes 104, 106.

As illustrated in FIGS. 43 and 48, total mechanical lash is the sum ofcamshaft lash 610 and latch lash 602. The sum affects valve motion. Thehigh lift camshaft profiles include opening and closing ramps 661 tocompensate for total mechanical lash 612. Minimal variation in totalmechanical lash 612 is important to maintain performance targetsthroughout the life of the engine. To keep lash within the specifiedrange, the total mechanical lash 612 tolerance is closely controlled inproduction. Because component wear correlates to a change in totalmechanical lash, low levels of component wear are allowed throughout thelife of the mechanism. Extensive durability shows that allocated wearallowance and total mechanical lash remain within the specified limitsthrough end of life testing.

Referring to the graph shown in FIG. 48, lash in in millimeters is onthe vertical axis, and camshaft angle in degrees is arranged on thehorizontal axis. The linear portion 661 of the valve lift profile 660shows a constant change of distance in millimeters for a given change incamshaft angle, and represents a region where closing velocity betweencontact surfaces is constant. For example, during the linear portion 661of the valve lift profile curve 660, when the rocker arm assembly 100(FIG. 4) switches from low-lift mode to high-lift mode, the closingdistance between the first slider pad 130, and the first high-lift lobe104 (FIG. 43), represents a constant velocity. Utilizing the constantvelocity region reduces impact loading due to acceleration.

As noted in FIG. 48, no valve lift occurs during the constant velocityno lift portion 661 of the valve lift profile curve 660. If total lashis reduced or closely controlled through improved system design,manufacturing, or assembly processes, the amount of time required forthe linear velocity portion of the valve lift profile is reduced,providing engine management benefits, for example allowing earlier valveopening or consistent valve operation engine to engine.

Now, as to FIGS. 43, 47, and 48, design and assembly variations forindividual parts and sub-assemblies can produce a matrix of lash valuesthat meet switch timing specifications and reduce the required constantvelocity switching region described previously. For example, one latchpin 200 self-aligning embodiment may include a feature that requires aminimum latch lash 602 of 10 microns to function. An improved modifiedlatch 200, configured without a self-aligning feature may be designedthat requires a latch lash 602 of 5 microns. This design changedecreases the total lash by 5 microns, and decreases the required nolift 661 portion of the valve lift profile 660.

Latch lash 602, and camshaft lash 610 shown in FIG. 43, can be describedin a similar manner for any design variation of switching rocker armassembly 100 of FIG. 4 that uses other methods of contact with thethree-lobed cam 102. In one embodiment, a sliding pad similar to 130 isused instead of roller bearing 128 (FIGS. 15 and 27). In a secondembodiment, rollers similar to 128 are used in place of slider pad 130and slider pad 132. There are also other embodiments that havecombinations of rollers and sliders.

Lash Management, Testing

As described in following sections, the design and manufacturing methodsused to manage lash were tested and verified for a range of expectedoperating conditions to simulate both normal operation and conditionsrepresenting higher stress conditions.

Durability of the DVVL switching rocker arm is assessed by demonstratingcontinued performance (i.e., valves opening and closing properly)combined with wear measurements. Wear is assessed by quantifying loss ofmaterial on the DVVL switching rocker arm, specifically the DLC coating,along with the relative amounts of mechanical lash in the system. Asnoted above, latch lash 602 (FIG. 43) is necessary to allow movement ofthe latch pin between the inner and outer arm to enable both high andlow lift operation when commanded by the engine electronic control unit(ECU). An increase in lash for any reason on the DVVL switching rockerarm reduces the available no-lift ramp 661 (FIG. 48), resulting in highaccelerations of the valve-train. The specification for wear withregards to mechanical lash is set to allow limit build parts to maintaindesirable dynamic performance at end of life.

For example, as shown in FIG. 43, wear between contacting surfaces inthe rocker arm assembly will change latch lash 602, cam shaft lash 610,and the resulting total lash. Wear that affects these respective valuescan be described as follows: 1) wear at the interface between the rollerbearing 128 (FIG. 15) and the cam lobe 108 (FIG. 4) reduces total lash,2) wear at the sliding interface between slider pads 130, 132 (FIG. 15)and cam lobes 104, 106 (FIG. 4) increases total lash, and 3) wearbetween the latch 200 and the latch pad surface 214 increases totallash. Since bearing interface wear decreases total lash and latch andslider interface wear increase total lash, overall wear may result inminimal net total lash change over the life of the rocker arm assembly.

4.7 DVVL Assembly Dynamics

The weight distribution, stiffness, and inertia for traditional rockerarms have been optimized for a specified range of operating speeds andreaction forces that are related to dynamic stability, valve tip loadingand valve spring compression during operation. An exemplary switchingrocker arm 100, illustrated in FIG. 4 has the same design requirementsas the traditional rocker arm, with additional constraints imposed bythe added mass and the switching functions of the assembly. Otherfactors must be considered as well, including shock loading due tomode-switching errors and subassembly functional requirements. Designsthat reduce mass and inertia, but do not effectively address thedistribution of material needed to maintain structural stiffness andresist stress in key areas can result in parts that deflect out ofspecification or become overstressed, both of which are conditions thatmay lead to poor switching performance and premature part failure. TheDVVL rocker arm assembly 100, shown in FIG. 4, must be dynamicallystable to 3500 rpm in low lift mode and 7300 rpm in high lift mode tomeet performance requirements.

As to FIGS. 4, 15, 19, and 27, DVVL rocker arm assembly 100 stiffness isevaluated in both low lift and high lift modes. In low lift mode, theinner arm 122 transmits force to open the valve 112. The enginepackaging volume allowance and the functional parameters of the innerarm 122 do not require a highly optimized structure, as the inner armstiffness is greater than that of a fixed rocker arm for the sameapplication. In high lift mode, the outer arm 120 works in conjunctionwith the inner arm 122 to transmit force to open the valve 112. FiniteElement Analysis (FEA) techniques show that the outer arm 120 is themost compliant member, as illustrated in FIG. 50 in an exemplary plotshowing a maximum area of vertical deflection 670. Mass distribution andstiffness optimization for this part is focused on increasing thevertical section height of the outer arm 120 between the slider pads130, 132 and the latch 200. Design limits on the upper profile of theouter arm 120 are based on clearance between the outer arm 120 and theswept profile of the high lift lobes 104, 106. Design limits on thelower profile of the outer arm 120 are based on clearance to the valvespring retainer 116 in low lift mode. Optimizing material distributionwithin the described design constraints decreases the verticaldeflection and increased stiffness, in one example, more than 33 percentover initial designs.

As shown in FIGS. 15 and 52, the DVVL rocker arm assembly 100 isdesigned to minimize inertia as it pivots about the ball plunger contactpoint 611 of the DFHLA 110 by biasing mass of the assembly as much aspossible towards side 101. This results in a general arrangement withtwo components of significant mass, the pivot axle 118 and the torsionsprings 134 136, located near the DFHLA 110 at side 101. With pivot axle118 in this location, the latch 200 is located at end 103 of the DVVLrocker arm assembly 100.

FIG. 55 is a plot that compares the DVVL rocker arm assembly 100stiffness in high-lift mode with other standard rocker arms. The DVVLrocker arm assembly 100 has lower stiffness than the fixed rocker armfor this application; however, its stiffness is in the existing rangerocker arms used in similar valve train configurations now inproduction. The inertia of the DVVL rocker arm assembly 100 isapproximately double the inertia of a fixed rocker arm, however, itsinertia is only slightly above the mean for rocker arms used in similarvalve train configurations now in production. The overall effective massof the intake valve train, consisting of multiple DVVL rocker armassemblies 100 is 28% greater than a fixed intake valve train. Thesestiffness, mass, and inertia values require optimization of eachcomponent and subassembly to ensure minimum inertia and maximumstiffness while meeting operational design criteria.

4.7.1 DVVL Assembly Dynamics Detailed Description

The major components that comprise total inertia for the rocker armassembly 100 are illustrated in FIG. 53. These are the inner armassembly 622, the outer arm 120, and the torsion springs 134, 136. Asnoted, functional requirements of the inner arm assembly 622, forexample, its hydraulic fluid transfer pathways and its latch pinmechanism housing, require a stiffer structure than a fixed rocker armfor the same application. In the following description, the inner armassembly 622 is considered a single part.

Referring to FIGS. 51-53, FIG. 51 shows a top view of the rocker armassembly 100 in FIG. 4. FIG. 52 is a section view along the line 52-52in FIG. 51 that illustrates loading contact points for the rocker armassembly 100. The rotating three lobed cam 102 imparts a cam load 616 tothe roller bearing 128 or, depending on mode of operation, to the sliderpads 130, 132. The ball plunger end 601 and the valve tip 613 provideopposing forces.

In low-lift mode, the inner arm assembly 622 transmits the cam load 616to the valve tip 613, compresses spring 114 (of FIG. 4), and opens thevalve 112. In high-lift mode, the outer arm 120, and the inner armassembly 622 are latched together. In this case, the outer arm 120transmits the cam load 616 to the valve tip 613, compresses the spring114, and opens the valve 112.

Now, as to FIGS. 4 and 52, the total inertia for the rocker arm assembly100 is determined by the sum of the inertia of its major components,calculated as they rotate about the ball plunger contact point 611. Inthe exemplary rocker arm assembly 100, the major components may bedefined as the torsion springs 134, 136, the inner arm assembly 622, andthe outer arm 120. When the total inertia increases, the dynamic loadingon the valve tip 613 increases, and system dynamic stability decreases.To minimize valve tip loading and maximize dynamic stability, mass ofthe overall rocker arm assembly 100 is biased towards the ball plungercontact point 611. The amount of mass that can be biased is limited bythe required stiffness of the rocker arm assembly 100 needed for a givencam load 616, valve tip load 614, and ball plunger load 615.

Now, as to FIGS. 4 and 52, the stiffness of the rocker arm assembly 100is determined by the combined stiffness of the inner arm assembly 622,and the outer arm 120, when they are in a high-lift or low-lift state.Stiffness values for any given location on the rocker arm assembly 100can be calculated and visualized using Finite Element Analysis (FEA) orother analytical methods, and characterized in a plot of stiffnessversus location along the measuring axis 618. In a similar manner,stiffness for the outer arm 120 and inner arm assembly 622 can beindividually calculated and visualized using Finite Element Analysis(FEA) or other analytical methods. An exemplary illustration 106 showsthe results of these analyses as a series characteristic plots ofstiffness versus location along the measuring axis 618. As an additionalillustration noted earlier, FIG. 50 illustrates a plot of maximumdeflection for the outer arm 120.

Now, referencing FIGS. 52 and 56, stress and deflection for any givenlocation on the rocker arm assembly 100 can be calculated using FiniteElement Analysis (FEA) or other analytical methods, and characterized asplots of stress and deflection versus location along the measuring axis618 for given cam load 616, valve tip load 614, and ball plunger load615. In a similar manner, stress and deflection for the outer arm 120and inner arm assembly 622 can be individually calculated and visualizedusing Finite Element Analysis (FEA) or other analytical methods. Anexemplary illustration in FIG. 56 shows the results of these analyses asa series of characteristic plots of stress and deflection versuslocation along the measuring axis 618 for given cam load 616, valve tipload 614, and ball plunger load 615.

4.7.2 DVVL Assembly Dynamics Analysis

For stress and deflection analysis, a load case is described in terms ofload location and magnitude as illustrated in FIG. 52. For example, in alatched rocker arm assembly 100 in high-lift mode, the cam load 616 isapplied to slider pads 130, 132. The cam load 616 is opposed by thevalve tip load 614 and the ball plunger load 615. The first distance 632is the distance measured along the measuring axis 618 between the valvetip load 614 and the ball plunger load 615. The second distance 634 isthe distance measured along the measuring axis 618 between the valve tipload 614 and the cam load 616. The load ratio is the second distance 634divided by the first distance 632. For dynamic analysis, multiple valuesand operating conditions are considered for analysis and possibleoptimization. These may include the three lobe camshaft interfaceparameters, torsion spring parameters, total mechanical lash, inertia,valve spring parameters, and DFHLA parameters.

Design parameters for evaluation can be described:

Variable/ Value/Range for a Design Parameter Description IterationEngine The maximum rotational speed of the rocker 7300 rpm in high-liftmode speed arm assembly 100 about the ball plunger 3500 rpm in low-liftmode contact point 611 is derived from the engine speed Lash Lashenables switching from between high-lift Cam lash and low-lift modes,and varies based on the Latch lash selected design. In the exampleconfiguration Total lash shown in FIG. 52, a deflection of the outer arm120 slider pad results in a decrease of the total lash available forswitching. Maximum This value is based on the selected design Total lash+/− tolerance allowable configuration deflection Maximum Establishallowable loading for the specified Kinematic contact stresses:allowable materials of construction. Valve tip = stress Ball plunger end= Roller = 1200-1400 MPa Slider pads = 800-1000 MPa Dynamic Valveclosing velocity stability Cam shape The cam load 616 in FIG. 52 isestablished by This variable is considered the rotating cam lobe as itacts to open the fixed for iterative design valve. The shape of the camlobe affects analysis. dynamic loading. Valve The spring 114 compressionstiffness is fixed spring for a given engine design. stiffness Ball Asdescribed in FIG. 52, the second distance Range = 20-50 mm plunger to632 value is set by the engine design. valve tip distance Load ratio Theload ratio as shown in FIG. 52 is the Range = 0.2-0.8 second distance634 divided by the first distance 632. This value is imposed by thedesign configuration and load case selected. Inertia This is acalculated value Range = 20-60 Kg * mm2

Now, as referenced by FIGS. 4, 51, 52, 53, and 54, based on given set ofdesign parameters, a general design methodology is described.

-   1. In step one 350, arrange components 622, 120, 134, and 136 along    the measuring axis to bias mass towards the ball plunger contact    point 611. For example, the torsion springs 134, 136 may be    positioned 2 mm to the left of the ball plunger contact point, and    the pivot axle 118 in the inner arm assembly 622 may be positioned    5 mm. to the right. The outer arm 120 is positioned to align with    the pivot axle 118 as shown in FIG. 53.-   2. In step 351, for a given component arrangement, calculate the    total inertia for the rocker arm assembly 100.-   3. In step 352, evaluate the functionality of the component    arrangement. For example, confirm that the torsion springs 134, 136    can provide the required stiffness in their specified location to    keep the slider pads 130, 132 in contact with the cam 102, without    adding mass. In another example, the component arrangement must be    determined to fit within the package size constraints.-   4. In step 353, evaluate the results of step 351 and step 352. If    minimum requirements for the valve tip load 614 and dynamic    stability at the selected engine speed are not met, iterate on the    arrangement of components and perform the analyses in steps 351 and    352 again. When minimum requirements for the valve tip load 614 and    dynamic stability at the selected engine speed are met, calculate    deflection and stress for the rocker arm assembly 100.-   5. In step 354, calculate stress and deflections-   6. In step 356, evaluate deflection and stress. If minimum    requirements for deflection and stress are not met, proceed to step    355, and, and refine component design. When the design iteration is    complete, return to step 353 and re-evaluate the valve tip load 614    and dynamic stability. When minimum requirements for the valve tip    load 614 and dynamic stability at the selected engine speed are met,    calculate deflection and stress in step 354.-   7. With reference to FIG. 55, when conditions of stress, deflection,    and dynamic stability are met, the result is one possible design    357. Analysis results can be plotted for possible design    configurations on a graph of stiffness versus inertia. This graph    provides a range of acceptable values as indicated by area 360. FIG.    57 shows three discrete acceptable designs. By extension, the    acceptable inertia/stiffness area 360 also bounds the    characteristics for individual major components 120, 622, and    torsion springs 134, 136.

Now, with reference to FIGS. 4, 52, 55, a successful design, asdescribed above, is reached if each of the major rocker arm assembly 100components, including the outer arm 120, the inner arm assembly 622, andthe torsion springs 134, 136, collectively meet specific design criteriafor inertia, stress, and deflection. A successful design produces uniquecharacteristic data for each major component.

To illustrate, select three functioning DVVL rocker arm assemblies 100,illustrated in FIG. 57, that meet a certain stiffness/inertia criteria.Each of these assemblies is comprised of three major components: thetorsion springs 134, 136, outer arm 120, and inner arm assembly 622. Forthis analysis, as illustrated in an exemplary illustration of FIG. 58, arange of possible inertia values for each major component can bedescribed:

-   -   Torsion spring set, design #1, inertia=A; torsion spring set,        design #2, inertia=B; torsion spring set, design #3, inertia=C    -   Torsion spring set inertia range, calculated about the ball end        plunger tip (also indicated with an X in FIG. 59), is bounded by        the extents defined in values A, B, and C.    -   Outer arm, design #1, inertia=D; outer arm, design #2,        inertia=E; outer arm, design #3, inertia=F    -   Outer arm inertia range, calculated about the ball end plunger        tip (also indicated with an X in FIG. 59), is bounded by the        extents defined in values D, E, and F    -   Inner arm assembly, design #1, inertia=X; inner arm assembly,        design #2, inertia=Y; inner arm assembly, design #3, inertia=Z    -   Inner arm assembly inertia range, calculated about the ball end        plunger tip (also indicated with an X in FIG. 59), is bounded by        the extents defined in values X, Y, and Z.

This range of component inertia values in turn produces a uniquearrangement of major components (torsion springs, outer arm, and innerarm assembly). For example, in this design, the torsion springs willtend to be very close to the ball end plunger tip 611.

As to FIGS. 57-61, calculation of inertia for individual components isclosely tied to loading requirements in the assembly, because the desireto minimize inertia requires the optimization of mass distribution inthe part to manage stress in key areas. For each of the three successfuldesigns described above, a range of values for stiffness and massdistribution can be described.

-   -   For outer arm 120 design #1, mass distribution can be plotted        versus distance along the part, starting at end A, and        proceeding to end B. In the same way, mass distribution values        for outer arm 120 design #2 and outer arm 120 design #3 can be        plotted.    -   The area between the two extreme mass distribution curves can be        defined as a range of values characteristic to the outer arm 120        in this assembly.    -   For outer arm 120 design #1, stiffness distribution can be        plotted versus distance along the part, starting at end A, and        proceeding to end B. In the same way, stiffness values for outer        arm 120 design #2 and outer arm 120 design #3 can be plotted.    -   The area between the two extreme stiffness distribution curves        can be defined as a range of values characteristic to the outer        arm 120 in this assembly.

Stiffness and mass distribution for the outer arm 120 along an axisrelated to its motion and orientation during operation, describecharacteristic values, and by extension, characteristic shapes.

5. Design Verification

5.1 Latch Response

Latch response times for the exemplary DVVL system were validated with alatch response test stand 900 illustrated in FIG. 62, to ensure that therocker arm assembly switched within the prescribed mechanical switchingwindow explained previously, and illustrated in FIG. 26. Response timeswere recorded for oil temperatures ranging from 10° C. to 120° C. toeffect a change in oil viscosity with temperature.

The latch response test stand 900 utilized production intent hardwareincluding OCVs, DFHLAs, and DVVL switching rocker arms 100. To simulateengine oil conditions, the oil temperature was controlled by an externalheating and cooling system. Oil pressure was supplied by an externalpump and controlled with a regulator. Oil temperature was measured in acontrol gallery between the OCV and DFHLA. The latch movement wasmeasured with a displacement transducer 901.

Latch response times were measured with a variety of production intentSRFFs. Tests were conducted with production intent 5w-20 motor oil.Response times were recorded when switching from low lift mode to highlift and high lift mode to low lift mode.

FIG. 21 details the latch response times when switching from low-liftmode to high-lift mode. The maximum response time at 20° C. was measuredto be less than 10 milliseconds. FIG. 22 details the mechanical responsetimes when switching from high-lift mode to low lift mode. The maximumresponse time at 20° C. was measured to be less than 10 milliseconds.

Results from the switching studies show that the switching time for thelatch is primarily a function of the oil temperature due to the changein viscosity of the oil. The slope of the latch response curve resemblesviscosity to temperature relationships of motor oil.

The switching response results show that the latch movement is fastenough for mode switching in one camshaft revolution up to 3500 enginerpm. The response time begins to increase significantly as thetemperature falls below 20° C. At temperatures of 10° C. and below,switching in one camshaft revolution is not possible without loweringthe 3500 rpm switching requirement.

The SRFF was designed to be robust at high engine speeds for both highand low lift modes as shown in Table 1. The high lift mode can operateup to 7300 rpm with a “burst” speed requirement of 7500 rpm. A burst isdefined as a short excursion to a higher engine speed. The SRFF isnormally latched in high lift mode such that high lift mode is notdependent on oil temperature. The low lift operating mode is focused onfuel economy during part load operation up to 3500 rpm with an overspeed requirement of 5000 rpm in addition to a burst speed to 7500 rpm.As tested, the system is able to hydraulically unlatch the SRFF for oiltemperatures at 200 C. or above. Testing was conducted down to 10° C. toensure operation at 20° C. Durability results show that the design isrobust across the entire operating range of engine speeds, lift modesand oil temperatures.

TABLE 1 Mode Engine Speed, rpm Oil Temperature High Lift 7300 N/A 7500burst speed Low Lift 3500 20° C. and above (Fuel Economy Mode) 5000overspeed 7500 burst speed

The design, development, and validation of a SRFF based DVVL system toachieve early intake valve closing was completed for a Type II valvetrain. This DVVL system improves fuel economy without jeopardizingperformance by operating in two modes. Pumping loop losses are reducedin low lift mode by closing the intake valve early while performance ismaintained in high lift mode by utilizing a standard intake valveprofile. The system preserves common Type II intake and exhaust valvetrain geometries for use in an in-line four cylinder gasoline engine.Implementation cost is minimized by using common components and astandard chain drive system. Utilizing a Type II SRFF based system inthis manner allows the application of this hardware to multiple enginefamilies.

This DVVL system, installed on the intake of the valve train, met keyperformance targets for mode switching and dynamic stability in bothhigh-lift and low-lift modes. Switching response times allowed modeswitching within one cam revolution at oil temperatures above 20° C. andengine speeds up to 3500 rpm. Optimization of the SRFF stiffness andinertia, combined with an appropriate valve lift profile design allowedthe system to be dynamically stable to 3500 rpm in low lift mode and7300 rpm in high lift mode. The validation testing completed onproduction intent hardware shows that the DVVL system exceeds durabilitytargets. Accelerated system aging tests were utilized to demonstratedurability beyond the life targets.

5.2 Durability

Passenger cars are required to meet an emissions useful life requirementof 150,000 miles. This study set a more stringent target of 200,000miles to ensure that the product is robust well beyond the legislatedrequirement.

The valve train requirements for end of life testing are translated tothe 200,000 mile target. This mileage target must be converted to valveactuation events to define the valve train durability requirements. Inorder to determine the number of valve events, the average vehicle andengine speeds over the vehicle lifetime must be assumed. For thisexample, an average vehicle speed of 40 miles per hour combined with anaverage engine speed of 2200 rpm was chosen for the passenger carapplication. The camshaft speed operates at half the engine speed andthe valves are actuated once per camshaft revolution, resulting in atest requirement of 330 million valve events. Testing was conducted onboth firing engines and non-firing fixtures. Rather than running a 5000hour firing engine test, most testing and reported results focus on theuse of the non-firing fixture illustrated in FIG. 63 to conduct testingnecessary to meet 330 million valve events. Results from firing andnon-firing tests were compared, and the results corresponded well withregarding valve train wear results, providing credibility for non-firingfixture life testing.

5.2.1 Accelerated Aging

There was a need for conducting an accelerated test to show complianceover multiple engine lives prior to running engine tests. Hence, fixturetesting was performed prior to firing tests. A higher speed test wasdesigned to accelerate valve train wear such that it could be completedin less time. A test correlation was established such that doubling theaverage engine speed relative to the in-use speed yielded results inapproximately one-quarter of the time and nearly equivalent valve trainwear. As a result, valve train wear followed closely to the followingequation:

${VE}_{Accel} \sim {{VE}_{{In}\text{-}{use}}\left( \frac{{RPM}_{{avg} - {test}}}{{RPM}_{{avg}\text{-}{in}\mspace{14mu}{use}}} \right)}^{2}$

Where VE_(Accel) are the valve events required during an acceleratedaging test, VE_(in-use) are the valve events required during normalin-use testing, RPM_(avg-test) is the average engine speed for theaccelerated test and RPM_(avg-in use) is the average engine speed forin-use testing.

A proprietary, high speed, durability test cycle was developed that hadan average engine speed of approximately 5000 rpm. Each cycle had highspeed durations in high lift mode of approximately 60 minutes followedby lower speed durations in low lift mode for approximately another 10minutes. This cycle was repeated 430 times to achieve 72 million valveevents at an accelerated wear rate that is equivalent to 330 millionevents at standard load levels. Standard valve train products containingneedle and roller bearings have been used successfully in the automotiveindustry for years. This test cycle focused on the DLC coated sliderpads where approximately 97% of the valve lift events were on the sliderpads in high lift mode leaving 2 million cycles on the low lift rollerbearing as shown in Table 2. These testing conditions consider one valvetrain life equivalent to 430 accelerated test cycles. Testing showedthat the SRFF is durable through six engine useful lives with negligiblewear and lash variation.

TABLE 2 Durability Tests, Valve Events and Objectives DurabilityDuration Valve Events Test (hours) total high lift Objective Accelerated500 72M 97% Accelerated high System speed wear Aging Switching 500 54M50% Latch and torsion spring wear Critical Shift 800 42M 50% Lath andbearing wear Idle 1 1000 27M 100%  Low lubrication Idle 2 1000 27M  0%Low lubrication Cold Start 1000 27M 100%  Low lubrication Used Oil 40056M ~99.5%   Accelerated high speed wear Bearing 140 N/A N/A Bearingwear Torsion 500 25M  0% Spring load loss Spring

The accelerated system aging test was key to showing durability whilemany function-specific tests were also completed to show robustness overvarious operating states.

Table 2 includes the main durability tests combined with the objectivefor each test. The accelerated system aging test was described aboveshowing approximately 500 hours or approximately 430 test cycles. Aswitching test was operated for approximately 500 hours to assess thelatch and torsion spring wear. Likewise, a critical shift test was alsoperformed to further age the parts during a harsh and abusive shift fromthe outer arm being partially latched such that it would slip to the lowlift mode during the high lift event. A critical shift test wasconducted to show robustness in the case of extreme conditions caused byimproper vehicle maintenance. This critical shift testing was difficultto achieve and required precise oil pressure control in the testlaboratory to partially latch the outer arm. This operation is notexpected in-use as the oil control pressures are controlled outside ofthat window. Multiple idle tests combined with cold start operation wereconducted to accelerate wear due to low oil lubrication. A used oil testwas also conducted at high speed. Finally, bearing and torsion springtests were conducted to ensure component durability. All tests met theengine useful lift requirement of 200,000 miles which is safely abovethe 150,000 mile passenger car useful life requirement.

All durability tests were conducted having specific levels of oilaeration. Most tests had oil aeration levels ranging betweenapproximately 15% and 20% total gas content (TGC) which is typical forpassenger car applications. This content varied with engine speed andthe levels were quantified from idle to 7500 rpm engine speed. Anexcessive oil aeration test was also conducted having aeration levels of26% TGC. These tests were conducted with SRFF's that met were tested fordynamics and switching performance tests. Details of the dynamicsperformance test are discussed in the results section. The oil aerationlevels and extended levels were conducted to show product robustness.

5.2.2 Durability Test Apparatus

The durability test stand shown in FIG. 63 consists of a prototype 2.5 Lfour cylinder engine driven by an electric motor with an external engineoil temperature control system 905. Camshaft position is monitored by anAccu-coder 802S external encoder 902 driven by the crankshaft. Angularvelocity of the crankshaft is measured with a digital magnetic speedsensor (model Honeywell584) 904. Oil pressure in both the control andhydraulic galleries is monitored using Kulite XTL piezoelectric pressuretransducers.

5.2.3 Durability Test Apparatus Control

A control system for the fixture is configured to command engine speed,oil temperature and valve lift state as well as verify that the intendedlift function is met. The performance of the valve train is evaluated bymeasuring valve displacement using non-intrusive Bentley Nevada 3300XLproximity probes 906. The proximity probes measure valve lift up to 2 mmat one-half camshaft degree resolution. This provides the informationnecessary to confirm the valve lift state and post process the data forclosing velocity and bounce analysis. The test setup included a valvedisplacement trace that was recorded at idle speed to represent thebaseline conditions of the SRFF and is used to determine the masterprofile 908 shown in FIG. 64.

FIG. 17 shows the system diagnostic window representing one switchingcycle for diagnosing valve closing displacement. The OCV is commanded bythe control system resulting in movement of the OCV armature asrepresented by the OCV current trace 881. The pressure downstream of theOCV in the oil control gallery increases as shown by the pressure curve880; thus, actuating the latch pin resulting in a change of state fromhigh-lift to low-lift.

FIG. 64 shows the valve closing tolerance 909 in relation to the masterprofile 908 that was experimentally determined. The proximity probes 906used were calibrated to measure the last 2 mm of lift, with the final1.2 mm of travel shown on the vertical axis in FIG. 64. A camshaft angletolerance of 2.5″ was established around the master profile 908 to allowfor the variation in lift that results from valve train compression athigh engine speeds to prevent false fault recording. A detection windowwas established to resolve whether or not the valve train system had theintended deflection. For example, a sharper than intended valve closingwould result in an earlier camshaft angle closing resulting in valvebounce due to excessive velocity which is not desired. The detectionwindow and tolerance around the master profile can detect theseanomalies.

5.2.4 Durability Test Plan

A Design Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (DFMEA) was conducted todetermine the SRFF failure modes. Likewise, mechanisms were determinedat the system and subsystem levels. This information was used to developand evaluate the durability of the SRFF to different operatingconditions. The test types were separated into four categories as shownin FIG. 65 that include: Performance Verification, Subsystem Testing,Extreme Limit Testing and Accelerated System Aging.

The hierarchy of key tests for durability are shown in FIG. 65.Performance Verification Testing benchmarks the performance of the SRFFto application requirements and is the first step in durabilityverification. Subsystem tests evaluate particular functions and wearinterfaces over the product lifecycle. Extreme Limit Testing subjectsthe SRFF to the severe user in combination with operation limits.Finally, the Accelerated Aging test is a comprehensive test evaluatingthe SRFF holistically. The success of these tests demonstrates thedurability of the SRFF.

Performance Verification

Fatigue & Stiffness

The SRFF is placed under a cyclic load test to ensure fatigue lifeexceeds application loads by a significant design margin. Valve trainperformance is largely dependent on the stiffness of the systemcomponents. Rocker arm stiffness is measured to validate the design andensure acceptable dynamic performance.

Valve Train Dynamics

The Valve train Dynamics test description and performance is discussedin the results section. The test involved strain gaging the SRFFcombined with measuring valve closing velocities.

Subsystem Testing

Switching Durability

The switching durability test evaluates the switching mechanism bycycling the SRFF between the latched, unlatched and back to the latchedstate a total of three million times (FIGS. 24 and 25). The primarypurpose of the test is the evaluation of the latching mechanism.Additional durability information is gained regarding the torsionsprings due to 50% of the test cycle being in low lift.

Torsion Spring Durability and Fatigue

The torsion spring is an integral component of the switching rollerfinger follower. The torsion spring allows the outer arm to operate inlost motion while maintaining contact with the high lift camshaft lobe.The Torsion Spring Durability test is performed to evaluate thedurability of the torsion springs at operational loads. The TorsionSpring Durability test is conducted with the torsion springs installedin the SRFF. The Torsion Spring Fatigue test evaluates the torsionspring fatigue life at elevated stress levels. Success is defined astorsion spring load loss of less than 15% at end-of-life.

Idle Speed Durability

The Idle Speed Durability test simulates a limit lubrication conditioncaused by low oil pressure and high oil temperature. The test is used toevaluate the slider pad and bearing, valve tip to valve pallet and ballsocket to ball plunger wear. The lift-state is held constant throughoutthe test in either high or low lift. The total mechanical lash ismeasured at periodic inspection intervals and is the primary measure ofwear.

Extreme Limit Testing

Overspeed

Switching rocker arm failure modes include loss of lift-state control.The SRFF is designed to operate at a maximum crankshaft speed of 3500rpm in low lift mode. The SRFF includes design protection to thesehigher speeds in the case of unexpected malfunction resulting in lowlift mode. Low lift fatigue life tests were performed at 5000 rpm.Engine Burst tests were performed to 7500 rpm for both high and low liftstates.

Cold Start Durability

The Cold Start durability test evaluates the ability of the DLC towithstand 300 engine starting cycles from an initial temperature of −30°C. Typically, cold weather engine starting at these temperatures wouldinvolve an engine block heater. This extreme test was chosen to showrobustness and was repeated 300 times on a motorized engine fixture.This test measures the ability of the DLC coating to withstand reducedlubrication as a result of low temperatures.

Critical Shift Durability

The SRFF is designed to switch on the base circle of the camshaft whilethe latch pin is not in contact with the outer arm. In the event ofimproper OCV timing or lower than required minimum control gallery oilpressure for full pin travel, the pin may still be moving at the startof the next lift event. The improper location of the latch pin may leadto a partial engagement between the latch pin and outer arm. In theevent of a partial engagement between the outer arm and latch pin, theouter arm may slip off the latch pin resulting in an impact between theroller bearing and low lift camshaft lobe. The Critical Shift Durabilityis an abuse test that creates conditions to quantify robustness and isnot expected in the life of the vehicle. The Critical Shift testsubjects the SRFF to 5000 critical shift events.

Accelerated Bearing Endurance

The accelerated bearing endurance is a life test used to evaluate lifeof bearings that completed the critical shift test. The test is used todetermine whether the effects of critical shift testing will shorten thelife of the roller bearing. The test is operated at increased radialloads to reduce the time to completion. New bearings were testedsimultaneously to benchmark the performance and wear of the bearingssubjected to critical shift testing. Vibration measurements were takenthroughout the test and were analyzed to detect inception of bearingdamage.

Used Oil Testing

The Accelerated System Aging test and Idle Speed Durability testprofiles were performed with used oil that had a 20/19/16 ISO rating.This oil was taken from engines at the oil change interval.

Accelerated System Aging

The Accelerated System Aging test is intended to evaluate the overalldurability of the rocker arm including the sliding interface between thecamshaft and SRFF, latching mechanism and the low lift bearing. Themechanical lash was measured at periodic inspection intervals and is theprimary measure of wear. FIG. 66 shows the test protocol in evaluatingthe SRFF over an Accelerated System Aging test cycle. The mechanicallash measurements and FTIR measurements allow investigation of theoverall health of the SRFF and the DLC coating respectively. Finally,the part is subjected to a teardown process in an effort to understandthe source of any change in mechanical lash from the start of test.

FIG. 67 is a pie chart showing the relative testing time for the SRFFdurability testing which included approximately 15,700 total hours. TheAccelerated System Aging test offered the most information per test hourdue to the acceleration factor and combined load to the SRFF within onetest leading to the 37% allotment of total testing time. The Idle SpeedDurability (Low Speed, Low Lift and Low Speed, High Lift) testsaccounted for 29% of total testing time due to the long duration of eachtest. Switching Durability was tested to multiple lives and constituted9% of total test time. Critical Shift Durability and Cold StartDurability testing required significant time due to the difficulty inachieving critical shifts and thermal cycling time required for the ColdStart Durability. The data is quantified in terms of the total timerequired to conduct these modes as opposed to just the critical shiftand cold starting time itself. The remainder of the subsystem andextreme limit tests required 11% of the total test time.

Valvetrain Dynamics

Valve train dynamic behavior determines the performance and durabilityof an engine. Dynamic performance was determined by evaluating theclosing velocity and bounce of the valve as it returns to the valveseat. Strain gaging provides information about the loading of the systemover the engine speed envelope with respect to camshaft angle. Straingages are applied to the inner and outer arms at locations of uniformstress. FIG. 68 shows a strain gage attached to the SRFF. The outer andinner arms were instrumented to measure strain for the purpose ofverifying the amount of load on the SRFF.

A Valve train Dynamics test was conducted to evaluate the performancecapabilities of the valve train. The test was performed at nominal andlimit total mechanical lash values. The nominal case is presented. Aspeed sweep from 1000 to 7500 rpm was performed, recording 30 valveevents per engine speed. Post processing of the dynamics data allowscalculation of valve closing velocity and valve bounce. The attachedstrain gages on the inner and outer arms of the SRFF indicate sufficientloading of the rocker arm at all engine speeds to prevent separationbetween valve train components or “pump-up” of the HLA. Pump-up occurswhen the HLA compensates for valve bounce or valve train deflectioncausing the valve to remain open on the camshaft base circle. Theminimum, maximum and mean closing velocities are shown to understand thedistribution over the engine speed range. The high lift closingvelocities are presented in FIG. 67. The closing velocities for highlift meet the design targets. The span of values varies by approximately250 mm/s between the minimum and maximum at 7500 rpm while safelystaying within the target.

FIG. 69 shows the closing velocity of the low lift camshaft profile.Normal operation occurs up to 3500 rpm where the closing velocitiesremain below 200 mm/s, which is safely within the design margin for lowlift. The system was designed to an over-speed condition of 5000 rpm inlow lift mode where the maximum closing velocity is below the limit.Valve closing velocity design targets are met for both high and low liftmodes.

Critical Shift

The Critical Shift test is performed by holding the latch pin at thecritical point of engagement with the outer arm as shown in FIG. 27. Thelatch is partially engaged on the outer arm which presents theopportunity for the outer arm to disengage from the latch pin resultingin a momentary loss of control of the rocker arm. The bearing of theinner arm is impacted against the low lift camshaft lobe. The SRFF istested to a quantity that far exceeds the number of critical shifts thatare anticipated in a vehicle to show lifetime SRFF robustness. TheCritical Shift test evaluates the latching mechanism for wear duringlatch disengagement as well as the bearing durability from the impactthat occurs during a critical shift.

The Critical Shift test was performed using a motorized engine similarto that shown in FIG. 63. The lash adjuster control gallery wasregulated about the critical pressure. The engine is operated at aconstant speed and the pressure is varied around the critical pressureto accommodate for system hysteresis. A Critical Shift is defined as avalve drop of greater than 1.0 mm. The valve drop height distribution ofa typical SRFF is shown in FIG. 70. It should be noted that over 1000Critical Shifts occurred at less than 1.0 mm which are tabulated but notcounted towards test completion. FIG. 71 displays the distribution ofcritical shifts with respect to camshaft angle. The largest accumulationoccurs immediately beyond peak lift with the remainder approximatelyevenly distributed.

The latching mechanism and bearing are monitored for wear throughout thetest. The typical wear of the outer arm (FIG. 73) is compared to a newpart (FIG. 72). Upon completion of the required critical shifts, therocker arm is checked for proper operation and the test concluded. Theedge wear shown did not have a significant effect on the latchingfunction and the total mechanical lash as the majority of the latchshelf displayed negligible wear.

Subsystems

The subsystem tests evaluate particular functions and wear interfaces ofthe SRFF rocker arm. Switching Durability evaluates the latchingmechanism for function and wear over the expected life of the SRFF.Similarly, Idle Speed Durability subjects the bearing and slider pad toa worst case condition including both low lubrication and an oiltemperature of 130° C. The Torsion Spring Durability Test wasaccomplished by subjecting the torsion springs to approximately 25million cycles. Torsion spring loads are measured throughout the test tomeasure degradation. Further confidence was gained by extending the testto 100 million cycles while not exceeding the maximum design load lossof 15%. FIG. 74 displays the torsion spring loads on the outer arm atstart and end of test. Following 100 million cycles, there was a smallload loss on the order of 5% to 10% which is below the 15% acceptabletarget and shows sufficient loading of the outer arm to four enginelives.

Accelerated System Aging

The Accelerated System Aging test is the comprehensive durability testused as the benchmark of sustained performance. The test represents thecumulative damage of the severe end-user. The test cycle averagesapproximately 5000 rpm with constant speed and acceleration profiles.The time per cycle is broken up as follows: 28% steady state, 15% lowlift and cycling between high and low lift with the remainder underacceleration conditions. The results of testing show that the lashchange in one-life of testing accounts for 21% of the available wearspecification of the rocker arm. Accelerated System Aging test,consisting of 8 SRFF's, was extended out past the standard life todetermine wear out modes of the SRFF. Total mechanical lash measurementswere recorded every 100 test cycles once past the standard duration.

The results of the accelerated system aging measurements are presentedin FIG. 75 showing that the wear specification was exceeded at 3.6lives. The test was continued and achieved six lives without failure.Extending the test to multiple lives displayed a linear change inmechanical lash once past an initial break in period. The dynamicbehavior of the system degraded due to the increased total mechanicallash; nonetheless, functional performance remained intact at six enginelives.

5.2.5 Durability Test Results

Each of the tests discussed in the test plan were performed and asummary of the results are presented. The results of Valve trainDynamics, Critical Shift Durability, Torsion Spring Durability andfinally the Accelerated System Aging test are shown.

The SRFF was subjected to accelerated aging tests combined withfunction-specific tests to demonstrate robustness and is summarized inTable 3.

TABLE 3 Durability Summary Valve Events Durability Test Lifetimes Cyclestotal # tests Accelerated System Aging 6 Switching 1 (used oil) TorsionSpring 3 Critical Shift 4 Cold Start >1 Overspeed >1 (5000 rpm in lowlift) Overspeed >1 (7500 rpm in high lift) Bearing 100M  1 Idle low lift27M 2 Idle high lift >1 27M 2 >1 (dirty oil) 27M 1 Legend: 1 enginelifetime = 200,000 miles (safe margin over the 150,000 mile requirement)

Durability was assessed in terms of engine lives totaling an equivalent200,000 miles which provides substantial margin over the mandated150,000 mile requirement. The goal of the project was to demonstratethat all tests show at least one engine life. The main durability testwas the accelerated system aging test that exhibited durability to atleast six engine lives or 1.2 million miles. This test was alsoconducted with used oil showing robustness to one engine life. A keyoperating mode is switching operation between high and low lift. Theswitching durability test exhibited at least three engine lives or600,000 miles. Likewise, the torsion spring was robust to at least fourengine lives or 800,000 miles. The remaining tests were shown to atleast one engine life for critical shifts, over speed, cold start,bearing robustness and idle conditions. The DLC coating was robust toall conditions showing polishing with minimal wear, as shown in FIG. 76.As a result, the SRFF was tested extensively showing robustness wellbeyond a 200,000 mile useful life.

5.2.6 Durability Test Conclusions

The DVVL system including the SRFF, DFHLA and OCV was shown to be robustto at least 200,000 miles which is a safe margin beyond the 150,000 milemandated requirement. The durability testing showed accelerated systemaging to at least six engine lives or 1.2 million miles. This SRFF wasalso shown to be robust to used oil as well as aerated oil. Theswitching function of the SRFF was shown robust to at least three enginelives or 600,000 miles. All sub-system tests show that the SRFF wasrobust beyond one engine life of 200,000 miles.

Critical shift tests demonstrated robustness to 5000 events or at leastone engine life. This condition occurs at oil pressure conditionsoutside of the normal operating range and causes a harsh event as theouter arm slips off the latch such that the SRFF transitions to theinner arm. Even though the condition is harsh, the SRFF was shown robustto this type of condition. It is unlikely that this event will occur inserial production. Testing results show that the SRFF is robust to thiscondition in the case that a critical shift occurs.

The SRFF was proven robust for passenger car application having enginespeeds up to 7300 rpm and having burst speed conditions to 7500 rpm. Thefiring engine tests had consistent wear patterns to the non-firingengine tests described in this paper. The DLC coating on the outer armslider pads was shown to be robust across all operating conditions. As aresult, the SRFF design is appropriate for four cylinder passenger carapplications for the purpose of improving fuel economy via reducedengine pumping losses at part load engine operation. This technologycould be extended to other applications including six cylinder engines.The SRFF was shown to be robust in many cases that far exceededautomotive requirements. Diesel applications could be considered withadditional development to address increased engine loads, oilcontamination and lifetime requirements.

5.3 Slider PAD/DLC Coating Wear

5.3.1 Wear Test Plan

This section describes the test plan utilized to investigate the wearcharacteristics and durability of the DLC coating on the outer armslider pad. The goal was to establish relationships between designspecifications and process parameters and how each affected thedurability of the sliding pad interface. Three key elements in thissliding interface are: the camshaft lobe, the slider pad, and the valvetrain loads. Each element has factors which needed to be included in thetest plan to determine the effect on the durability of the DLC coating.Detailed descriptions for each component follow:

Camshaft—The width of the high lift camshaft lobes were specified toensure the slider pad stayed within the camshaft lobe during engineoperation. This includes axial positional changes resulting from thermalgrowth or dimensional variation due to manufacturing. As a result, thefull width of the slider pad could be in contact with the camshaft lobewithout risk of the camshaft lobe becoming offset to the slider pad. Theshape of the lobe (profile) pertaining to the valve lift characteristicshad also been established in the development of the camshaft and SRFF.This left two factors which needed to be understood relative to thedurability of the DLC coating; the first was lobe material and thesecond was the surface finish of the camshaft lobe. The test planincluded cast iron and steel camshaft lobes tested with differentsurface conditions on the lobe. The first included the camshafts lobesas prepared by a grinding operation (as-ground). The second was after apolishing operation improved the surface finish condition of the lobes(polished).

Slider Pad—The slider pad profile was designed to specific requirementsfor valve lift and valve train dynamics. FIG. 77 is a graphicrepresentation of the contact relationship between the slider pads onthe SRFF and the contacting high lift lobe pair. Due to expectedmanufacturing variations, there is an angular alignment relationship inthis contacting surface which is shown in the FIG. 77 in exaggeratedscale. The crowned surface reduces the risk of edge loading the sliderpads considering various alignment conditions. However, the crownedsurface adds manufacturing complexity, so the effect of crown on thecoated interface performance was added to the test plan to determine itsnecessity.

The FIG. 77 shows the crown option on the camshaft surface as that wasthe chosen method. Hertzian stress calculations based on expected loadsand crown variations were used for guidance in the test plan. Atolerance for the alignment between the two pads (included angle) neededto be specified in conjunction with the expected crown variation. Thedesired output of the testing was a practical understanding of howvarying degrees of slider pad alignment affected the DLC coating. Stresscalculations were used to provide a target value of misalignment of 0.2degrees. These calculations served only as a reference point. The testplan incorporated three values for included angles between the sliderpads: <0.05 degrees, 0.2 degrees and 0.4 degrees. Parts with includedangles below 0.05 degrees are considered flat and parts with 0.4 degreesrepresent a doubling of the calculated reference point.

The second factor on the slider pads which required evaluation was thesurface finish of the slider pads before DLC coating. The processingsteps of the slider pad included a grinding operation which formed theprofile of the slider pad and a polishing step to prepare the surfacefor the DLC coating. Each step influenced the final surface finish ofthe slider pad before DLC coating was applied. The test planincorporated the contribution of each step and provided results toestablish an in-process specification for grinding and a finalspecification for surface finish after the polishing step. The test planincorporated the surface finish as ground and after polish.

Valve train load—The last element was the loading of the slider pad byoperation of the valve train. Calculations provided a means to transformthe valve train loads into stress levels. The durability of both thecamshaft lobe and the DLC coating was based on the levels of stress eachcould withstand before failure. The camshaft lobe material should bespecified in the range of 800-1000 MPa (kinematic contact stress). Thisrange was considered the nominal design stress. In order to acceleratetesting, the levels of stress in the test plan were set at 900-1000 MPaand 1125-1250 MPa. These values represent the top half of the nominaldesign stress and 125% of the design stress respectively.

The test plan incorporated six factors to investigate the durability ofthe DLC coating on the slider pads: (1) the camshaft lobe material, (2)the form of the camshaft lobe, (3) the surface conditions of thecamshaft lobe, (4) the angular alignment of the slider pad to thecamshaft lobe, {S} the surface finish of the slider pad and (6) thestress applied to the coated slider pad by opening the valve. A summaryof the elements and factors outlined in this section is shown in Table1.

TABLE 1 Test Plan Elements and Factors Element Factor Camshaft Material:Cast Iron, steel Surface Finish: as ground, polished Lobe Form: Flat,Crowned Slider Pad Angular Alignment: <0.05, 0.2, 0.4 degrees SurfaceFinish: as ground, polished Valvetrain Load Stress Level: Max Design,125% Max Design

5.3.2 Component Wear Test Results

The goal of testing was to determine relative contribution each of thefactors had on the durability of the slider pad DLC coating. Themajority of the test configurations included a minimum of two factorsfrom the test plan. The slider pads 752 were attached to a supportrocker 753 on a test coupon 751 shown in FIG. 78. All the configurationswere tested at the two stress levels to allow for a relative comparisonof each of the factors. Inspection intervals ranged from 20-50 hours atthe start of testing and increased to 300-500 hour intervals as resultstook longer to observe. Testing was suspended when the coupons exhibitedloss of the DLC coating or there was a significant change in the surfaceof the camshaft lobe. The testing was conducted at stress levels higherthan the application required hastening the effects of the factors. As aresult, the engine life assessment described is a conservative estimateand was used to demonstrate the relative effect of the tested factors.Samples completing one life on the test stand were described asadequate. Samples exceeding three lives without DLC loss were consideredexcellent. The test results were separated into two sections tofacilitate discussion. The first section discusses results from the castiron camshafts and the second examines results from the steel camshafts.

Test Results for Cast Iron Camshafts

The first tests utilized cast iron camshaft lobes and compared sliderpad surface finish and two angular alignment configurations. The resultsare shown in Table 2 below. This table summarizes the combinations ofslider pad included angle and surface conditions tested with the castiron camshafts. Each combination was tested at the max: design and 125%max design load condition. The values listed represent the number ofengine lives each combination achieved during testing.

TABLE 2 Cast Iron Test Matrix and Results Cast Iron Camshaft LobeSurface Finish Ground Lobe Profile Flat Slider Pad 0.2 deg. Ground 0.10.1 Engine Configuration Polished 0.5 0.3 Lives Flat Ground 0.3 0.2Polished  0.75 0.4 Included Surface Max 125% Angle Preparation DesignMax Design Valvetrain Load

The camshafts from the tests all developed spalling which resulted inthe termination of the tests. The majority developed spalling beforehalf an engine life. The spalling was more severe on the higher loadparts but also present on the max design load parts. Analysis revealedboth loads exceeded the capacity of the camshaft. Cast iron camshaftlobes are commonly utilized in applications with rolling elementscontaining similar load levels; however, in this sliding interface, thematerial was not a suitable choice.

The inspection intervals were frequent enough to study the effect thesurface finish had on the durability of the coating. The coupons withthe as-ground surface finish suffered DLC coating loss very early in thetesting. The coupon shown in FIG. 79A illustrates a typical sample ofthe DLC coating loss early in the test.

Scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis revealed the fracturednature of the DLC coating. The metal surface below the DLC coating didnot offer sufficient support to the coating. The coating issignificantly harder than the metal to which it is bonded; thus, if thebase metal significantly deforms the DLC may fracture as a result. Thecoupons that were polished before coating performed well until thecamshaft lobes started to spall. The best result for the cast ironcamshafts was 0.75 lives with the combination of the flat, polishedcoupons at the max design load.

Test Results for Steel Camshafts

The next set of tests incorporated the steel lobe camshafts. A summaryof the test combinations and results is listed in Table 3. The camshaftlobes were tested with four different configurations: (1) surface finishas ground with flat lobes, (2) surface finish as ground with crownedlobes, (3) polished with minimum crowned lobes and (4) polished withnominal crown on the lobes. The slider pads on the coupons were polishedbefore DLC coating and tested at three angles: (1) flat (less than 0.05degrees of included angle), (2) 0.2 degrees of included angle and (3)0.4 degrees of included angle. The loads for all the camshafts were setat max design or 125% of the max design level

TABLE 3 Steel Camshaft Test Matrix and Results Lobe Surface FinishGround Polished Steel Camshaft Crown Lobe Profile Flat Minimum NominalSlider Pad 0.4 deg. Polished 0.1 0.75 1.5 2.3 2.9 2.6 EngineConfiguration 0.2 deg. Polished 1.6 — 3.3 2.8 3.1 3 Lives Flat Polished— 1.8 2.6 2.2 3.3 3 Included Surface Max 125% Max 125% Max 125% AnglePreparation Design Max Design Max Design Max Design Design Design Valvetrain Load

The test samples which incorporated as-ground flat steel camshaft lobesand 0.4 degree included angle coupons at the 125% design load levels didnot exceed one life. The samples tested at the maximum design stresslasted one life but exhibited the same effects on the coating. The 0.2degree and flat samples performed better but did not exceed two lives.

This test was followed with ground, flat, steel camshaft lobes andcoupons with 0.2 degree included angle and flat coupons. The timerequired before observing coating loss on the 0.2 degree samples was 1.6lives. The flat coupons ran slightly longer achieving 1.8 lives. Thepattern of DLC loss on the flat samples was non-uniform with thegreatest losses on the outside of the contact patch. The loss of coatingon the outside of the contact patches indicated the stress experiencedby the slider pad was not uniform across its width. This phenomenon isknown as “edge effect”. The solution for reducing the stress at theedges of two aligned elements is to add a crown profile to one of theelements. The application utilizing the SRFF has the crowned profileadded to the camshaft.

The next set of tests incorporated the minimum value of crown combinedwith 0.4, 0.2 degree and flat polished slider pads. This set of testsdemonstrated the positive consequence of adding crown to the camshaft.The improvement in the 125% max load was from 0.75 to 1.3 lives for the0.4 degree samples. The flat parts exhibited a smaller improvement from1.8 to 2.2 lives for the same load.

The last set of tests included all three angles of coupons with polishedsteel camshaft lobes machined with nominal crown values. The mostnotable difference in these results is the interaction between camshaftcrown and the angular alignment of the slider pads to the camshaft lobe.The flat and 0.2 degree samples exceeded three lives at both loadlevels. The 0.4 degree samples did not exceed two lives. FIG. 79B showsa typical example of one of the coupons tested at the max design loadwith 0.2 degrees of included angle.

These results demonstrated the following: (1) the nominal value ofcamshaft crown was effective in mitigating slider pad angular alignmentup to 0.2 degrees to flat; (2) the mitigation was effective at maxdesign loads and 125% max design loads of the intended application and,(3) polishing the camshaft lobes contributes to the durability of theDLC coating when combined with slider pad polish and camshaft lobecrown.

Each test result helped to develop a better understanding of the effectstress had on the durability of the DLC coating. The results are plottedin FIG. 80.

The early tests utilizing cast iron camshaft lobes did not exceed halfan engine life in a sliding interface at the design loads. The nextimprovement came in the form of identifying ‘edge effect’. The additionof crown to the polished camshaft lobes combined with a betterunderstanding of allowable angular alignment, improved the coatingdurability to over three lives. The outcome is a demonstrated designmargin between the observed test results and the maximum design stressfor the application at each estimated engine life.

The effect surface finish has on DLC durability is most pronounced inthe transition from coated samples as-ground to coated couponsas-polished. Slider pads tested as-ground and coated did not exceed onethird engine life as shown in FIG. 81. Improvements in the surfacefinish of the slider pad provided greater load carrying capability ofthe substrate below the coating and improved overall durability of thecoated slider pad,

The results from the cast iron and steel camshaft testing provided thefollowing: (1) a specification for angular alignment of the slider padsto the camshaft, (2) clear evidence that the angular alignmentspecification was compatible with the camshaft lobe crown specification,(3) the DLC coating will remain intact within the design specificationsfor camshaft lobe crown and slider pad alignment beyond the maximumdesign load, (4) a polishing operation is required after the grinding ofthe slider pad, (5) an in-process specification for the grindingoperation, (6) a specification for surface finish of the slider padsprior to coating and (7) a polish operation on the steel camshaft lobescontributes to the durability of the DLC coating on the slider pad.

5.4 Slider Pad Manufacturing Development

5.4.1 Slider Pad Manufacturing Development Description

The outer arm utilizes a machined casting. The prototype parts, machinedfrom billet stock, had established targets for angular variation of theslider pads and the surface finish before coating. The development ofthe production grinding and polishing processes took place concurrentlyto the testing, and is illustrated in FIG. 82. The test results providedfeedback and guidance in the development of the manufacturing process ofthe outer arm slider pad. Parameters In the process were adjusted basedon the results of the testing and new samples machined were subsequentlyevaluated on the test fixture.

This section describes the evolution of the manufacturing process forthe slider pad from the coupon to the outer arm of the SRFF.

The first step to develop the production grinding process was toevaluate different machines. A trial run was conducted on threedifferent grinding machines. Each machine utilized the same vitrifiedcubic boron nitride (CBN) wheel and dresser. The CBN wheel was chosen asit offers (1) improved part to part consistency, (2) improved accuracyin applications requiring tight tolerances and (3) improved efficiencyby producing more pieces between dress cycles compared to aluminumoxide. Each machine ground a population of coupons using the same feedrate and removing the same amount of material in each pass. A fixturewas provided allowing the sequential grinding of coupons. The trial wasconducted on coupons because the samples were readily polished andtested on the wear rig. This method provided an impartial means toevaluate the grinders by holding parameters like the fixture, grindingwheel and dresser as constants.

Measurements were taken after each set of samples were collected.Angular measurements of the slider pads were obtained using a Leitz PMM654 coordinate measuring machine (CMM). Surface finish measurements weretaken on a Mahr LD 120 profilometer. FIG. 83 shows the results of theslider pad angle control relative to the grinder equipment. The resultsabove the line are where a noticeable degradation of coating performanceoccurred. The target region indicates that the parts tested to thisincluded angle show no difference in life testing. Two of the grindersfailed to meet the targets for included angle of the slider pad on thecoupons. The third did very well by comparison. The test results fromthe wear rig confirmed the sliding interface was sensitive to includedangles above this target. The combination of the grinder trials and thetesting discussed in the previous section helped in the selection ofmanufacturing equipment.

FIG. 84 summarizes the surface finish measurements of the same couponsas the included angle data shown in FIG. 83. The surface finishspecification for the slider pads was established as a result of thesetest results. Surface finish values above the limit line shown havereduced durability.

The same two grinders (A and B) also failed to meet the target forsurface finish. The target for surface finish was established based onthe net change of surface finish in the polishing process for a givenpopulation of parts. Coupons that started out as outliers from thegrinding process remained outliers after the polishing process;therefore, controlling surface finish at the grinding operation wasimportant to be able to produce a slider pad after polish that meets thefinal surface finish prior to coating.

The measurements were reviewed for each machine. Grinders A and B bothhad variation in the form of each pad in the angular measurements. Theresults implied the grinding wheel moved vertically as it ground theslider pads. Vertical wheel movement in this kind of grinder is relatedto the overall stiffness of the machine. Machine stiffness also canaffect surface finish of the part being ground. Grinding the slider padsof the outer arm to the specifications validated by the test fixturerequired the stiffness identified in Grinder C.

The lessons learned grinding coupons were applied to development of afixture for grinding the outer arm for the SRFF. However the outer armoffered a significantly different set of challenges. The outer arm isdesigned to be stiff in the direction it is actuated by the camshaftlobes. The outer arm is not as stiff in the direction of the slider padwidth.

The grinding fixture needed to (1) damp each slider pad without bias,(2) support each slider pad rigidly to resist the forces applied bygrinding and (3) repeat this procedure reliably in high volumeproduction.

The development of the outer arm fixture started with a manual clampingstyle block. Each revision of the fixture attempted to remove bias fromthe damping mechanism and reduce the variation of the ground surface.FIG. 85 illustrates the results through design evolution of the fixturethat holds the outer arm during the slider pad grinding operation.

The development completed by the test plan set boundaries for key SRFFouter arm slider pad specifications for surface finish parameters andform tolerance in terms of included angle. The influence of grindoperation surface finish to resulting final surface finish afterpolishing was studied and used to establish specifications for theintermediate process standards. These parameters were used to establishequipment and part fixture development that assure the coatingperformance will be maintained in high volume production.

5.4.2 Slider Pad Manufacturing Development Conclusions

The DLC coating on the SRFF slider pads that was configured in a DVVLsystem including DFHLA and OCV components was shown to be robust anddurable well beyond the passenger car lifetime requirement. Although DLCcoating has been used in multiple industries, it had limited productionfor the automotive valve train market. The work identified andquantified the effect of the surface finish prior to the DLCapplication, DLC stress level and the process to manufacture the sliderpads. This technology was shown to be appropriate and ready for theserial production of a SRFF slider pad.

The surface finish was critical to maintaining DLC coating on the sliderpads throughout lifetime tests. Testing results showed that earlyfailures occurred when the surface finish was too rough. The paperhighlighted a regime of surface finish levels that far exceeded lifetimetesting requirements for the Ole This recipe maintained the DLC intacton top of the chrome nitride base layer such that the base metal of theSRFF was not exposed to contacting the camshaft lobe material.

The stress level on the DLC slider pad was also identified and proven.The testing highlighted the need for angle control for the edges of theslider pad. It was shown that a crown added to the camshaft lobe addssubstantial robustness to edge loading effects due to manufacturingtolerances. Specifications set for the angle control exhibited testingresults that exceeded lifetime durability requirements.

The camshaft lobe material was also found to be an important factor inthe sliding interface. The package requirements for the SRFF based DVVLsystem necessitated a robust solution capable of sliding contactstresses up to 1000 MPa. The solution at these stress levels, a highquality steel material, was needed to avoid camshaft lobe spalling thatwould compromise the life of the sliding interface. The final systemwith the steel camshaft material, crowned and polished was found toexceed lifetime durability requirements.

The process to produce the slider pad and DLC in a high volumemanufacturing process was discussed. Key manufacturing developmentfocused on grinding equipment selection in combination with the grinderabrasive wheel and the fixture that holds the SRFF outer arm for theproduction slider pad grinding process. The manufacturing processesselected show robustness to meeting the specifications for assuring adurable sliding interface for the lifetime of the engine.

The DLC coating on the slider pads was shown to exceed lifetimerequirements which are consistent with the system DVVL results. The DLCcoating on the outer arm slider pads was shown to be robust across alloperating conditions. As a result, the SRFF design is appropriate forfour cylinder passenger car applications for the purpose of improvingfuel economy via reduced engine pumping losses at part load engineoperation. The DLC coated sliding interface for a DVVL was shown to bedurable and enables VVA technologies to be utilized in a variety ofengine valve train applications.

II. SINGLE-LOBE CYLINDER DEACTIVATION SYSTEM (CDA-1L) SYSTEM EMBODIMENTDESCRIPTION

1. CDA-1L System Overview

CDA-1L (FIG. 88) is a compact cam-driven single-lobe cylinderdeactivation (CDA-1L) switching rocker arm 1100 installed on apiston-driven internal combustion engine, and actuated with thecombination of dual-feed hydraulic lash adjusters (DFHLA) 110 and oilcontrol valves (OCV) 822.

Now, in reference to FIGS. 11, 88, 99, and 100, the CDA-1L layoutincludes four main components: Oil control valve (OCV) 822, dual feedhydraulic lash adjuster (DFHLA), CDA-1L switching rocker arm assembly(also referred to SRFF-1L) 1100; single-lobe cam 1320. The defaultconfiguration is in the normal-lift (latched) position where the innerarm 1108 and outer arm 1102 of the CDA-1L rocker arm 1100 are lockedtogether, causing the engine valve to open and allowing the cylinder tooperate as it would in a standard valvetrain. The DFHLA 110 has two oilports. The lower oil port 512 provides lash compensation and is fedengine oil similar to a standard HLA. The upper oil port 506, referredas the switching pressure port, provides the conduit between controlledoil pressure from the OCV 822 and the latch 1202 in the SRFF-1L. Asnoted, when the latch is engaged, the inner arm 1108 and outer arm 1102in the SRFF-1L 1110 operate together like a standard rocker arm to openthe engine valve. In the no-lift (unlatched) position, the inner arm1108 and outer arm1102 can move independently to enable cylinderdeactivation.

As shown in FIGS. 88 and 99, a pair of lost motion torsion springs 1124are incorporated to bias the position of the inner arm 1108 so that italways maintains continuous contact with the camshaft lobe 1320. Thelost motion torsion springs 1124 require a higher preload than designsthat use multiple lobes to facilitate continuous contact between thecamshaft lobe 1320 and the inner arm roller bearing 1116.

FIG. 89 shows a detailed view of the inner arm 1108 and outer arm 1102in the SRFF-1L 1100 along with the latch 1202 mechanism and rollerbearing 1116. The functionality of the SRFF-1L 1100 design maintainssimilar packaging and reduces the complexity of the camshaft 1300compared to configurations with more than one lobe, for example,separate no-lift lobes for each SRFF position can be eliminated.

As illustrated in FIG. 91, a complete CDA system 1400 for one enginecylinder includes one OCV 822, two SRFF-1L rocker arms 1100 for theexhaust, two SRFF-1L rocker arms 1100 for the intake, one DFHLA 110 foreach SRFF-1L 1100 and a single-lobe camshaft 1300 that drives eachSRFF-1L 1100. Additionally, the CDA 1400 system is designed such thatthe SRFF-1L 1100 and DFHLA 110 are identical for both the intake andexhaust. This layout allows for a single OCV 822 to simultaneouslyswitch each of the four SRFF-1L rocker arm 1100 assemblies necessary forcylinder deactivation. Finally, the system is controlled electronicallyfrom the ECU 825 to the OCV 822 to switch between normal-lift mode andno-lift mode.

The engine layout for one exhaust and one intake valve using the SRFF-1L1100 is shown in FIG. 90. The packaging of the SRFF-1L 1100 is similarto that of the standard valvetrain. The cylinder head requiresmodification to provide an oil feed from the lower gallery 805 to theOCV 822 (FIGS. 88, 91). Additionally, a second (upper) oil gallery 802is required to connect the OCV 822 and the switching ports 506 of theDFHLA 110. The basic engine cylinder head architecture remains the samesuch that the valve centerline, camshaft centerline, and DFHLA 110centerline remain constant. Because these three centerlines aremaintained relative to a standard valvetrain, and because the SRFF-1L1100 remains compact, the cylinder head height, length, and width remainnearly unchanged compared to a standard valvetrain system.

2. CDA-1L System Enabling Technologies

Several technologies used in this system have multiple uses in variedapplications, they are described herein as components of the DVVL systemdisclosed herein. These include:

2.1. Oil Control Valve (OCV)

As described in earlier sections, and shown in FIGS. 88, 91, 92, and 93,an oil control valve (OCV) 822 is a control device that directs or doesnot direct pressurized hydraulic fluid to cause the rocker arm 1100 toswitch between normal-lift mode and no-lift mode. The OCV isintelligently controlled, for example using a control signal sent by theECU 825.

2.2. Dual Feed Hydraulic Lash Adjustor (DFHLA)

Many hydraulic lash adjusting devices exist for maintaining lash inengines. For DVVL switching of rocker arm 100 (FIG. 4), traditional lashmanagement is required, but traditional HLA devices are insufficient toprovide the necessary oil flow requirements for switching, withstand theassociated side-loading applied by the assembly 100 during operation,and fit into restricted package spaces. A compact dual feed hydrauliclash adjuster 110 (DFHLA), used together with a switching rocker arm 100is described, with a set of parameters and geometry designed to provideoptimized oil flow pressure with low consumption, and a set ofparameters and geometry designed to manage side loading.

As illustrated in FIG. 10, the ball plunger end 601 fits into the ballsocket 502 that allows rotational freedom of movement in all directions.This permits side and possibly asymmetrical loading of the ball plungerend 601 in certain operating modes, for example when switching fromhigh-lift to low-lift and vice versa. In contrast to typical ball endplungers for HLA devices, the DFHLA 110 ball end plunger 601 isconstructed with thicker material to resist side loading, shown in FIG.11 as plunger thickness 510.

Selected materials for the ball plunger end 601 may also have higherallowable kinetic stress loads, for example, chrome vanadium alloy.

Hydraulic flow pathways in the DFHLA 110 are designed for high flow andlow pressure drop to ensure consistent hydraulic switching and reducedpumping losses. The DFHLA is installed in the engine in a cylindricalreceiving socket sized to seal against exterior surface 511, illustratedin FIG. 11. The cylindrical receiving socket combines with the first oilflow channel 504 to form a closed fluid pathway with a specifiedcross-sectional area.

As shown in FIG. 11, the preferred embodiment includes four oil flowports 506 (only two shown) as they are arranged in an equally spacedfashion around the base of the first oil flow channel 504. Additionally,two second oil flow channels 508 are arranged in an equally spacedfashion around ball end plunger 601, and are in fluid communication withthe first oil flow channel 504 through oil ports 506. Oil flow ports 506and the first oil flow channel 504 are sized with a specific area andspaced around the DFHLA 110 body to ensure even flow of oil andminimized pressure drop from the first flow channel 504 to the third oilflow channel 509. The third oil flow channel 509 is sized for thecombined oil flow from the multiple second oil flow channels 508.

2.3. Sensing and Measurement

Information gathered using sensors may be used to verify switchingmodes, identify error conditions, or provide information analyzed andused for switching logic and timing. As can be seen, the sensing andmeasurement embodiments described in earlier sections pertaining to theDVVL system may also be applied to the CDA-1L system. Therefore, thevalve position and/or motion sensing and logic used in DVVL, may also beused in the CDA system. Similarly, the sensing and logic used indetermining the position/motion of the rocker arms, or the relativeposition/motion of the rocker arms relative to each other used for theDVVL system may also be used in the CDA system.

2.4. Torsion Spring Design and Implementation

A robust torsion spring 1124 design that provides more torque thanconventional existing rocker arm designs, while maintaining highreliability, enables the CDA-1L system to maintain proper operationthrough all dynamic operating modes. The design and manufacture of thetorsion springs 1124 are described in later sections.

3. Switching Control and Logic

3.1. Engine Implementation

CDA-1L embodiments may include any number of cylinders, for example 4and 6 cylinder in-line and 6 and 8 cylinder V-configurations.

3.2. Hydraulic Fluid Delivery System to the Rocker Arm Assembly

As shown in FIG. 91, the hydraulic fluid system delivers engine oil at acontrolled pressure to the CDA-1L switching rocker arm 1100. In thisarrangement, engine oil from the cylinder head 801 that is not pressureregulated feeds into the DFHLA 110 via the lower oil gallery 805. Thisoil is always in fluid communication with the lower port 512 of theDFHLA 110, where it is used to perform normal hydraulic lash adjustment.Engine oil from the cylinder head 801 that is not pressure regulated isalso supplied to the oil control valve 822. Hydraulic fluid from OCV822, supplied at a controlled pressure, is supplied to the upper oilgallery 802. Switching of OCV 822 determines the lift mode for each ofthe CDA-1L rocker arm 1100 assemblies that comprise a CDA deactivationsystem 1400 for a given engine cylinder. As described in followingsections, actuation of the OCV valve 822 is directed by the enginecontrol unit 825 using logic based on both sensed and stored informationfor particular physical configuration, switching window, and set ofoperating conditions, for example, a certain number of cylinders and acertain oil temperature. Pressure regulated hydraulic fluid from theupper gallery 802 is directed to the DFHLA 110 upper port 506, where itis transmitted to the switching rocker arm assembly 1100. Hydraulicfluid is communicated through the rocker arm assembly 1100 to the latchpin 1202 assembly, where it is used to initiate switching betweennormal-lift and no-lift states.

Purging accumulated air in the upper gallery 802 is important tomaintain hydraulic stiffness and minimize variation in the pressure risetime. Pressure rise time directly affects the latch movement time duringswitching operations. The passive air bleed port 832, shown in FIG. 91was added to the high points in the upper gallery 802 to ventaccumulated air into the cylinder head air space under the valve cover.

3.2.1. Hydraulic Fluid Delivery for Normal-Lift Mode

FIG. 92 shows the SRFF-1L 1100 in the default position where theelectronic signal to the OCV 822 is absent, and also shows a crosssection of the system and components that enable operation innormal-lift mode: OCV 822, DFHLA 110, latch spring 1204, latch 1202,outer arm 1102, cam 1320, roller bearing 1116, inner arm 1108, valve pad1140 and engine valve 112. Unregulated engine oil pressure in the lowergallery 805 is in communication with the lash compensation (lower) port512 of the DFHLA 110 to enable standard lash compensation. The OCV 822regulates oil pressure to the upper oil gallery 802, which then suppliesoil to the upper port 506 at 0.2 to 0.4 bar when the ECU 825 electricalsignal is absent. This pressure value is below the pressure required tocompress the latch spring 1204 move the latch pin 1202. This pressurevalue serves to keep the oil circuit full of oil and free of air toachieve the required system response. The cam 1320 lobe contacts theroller bearing, rotating outer arm 1102 about the DFHLA 110 ball socketto open and close the valve. When the latch 1202 is engaged, the SRFF-1Lfunctions similarly to a standard RFF rocker arm assembly.

3.2.2. Hydraulic Fluid Delivery for No-Lift Mode

FIGS. 93 A, B, and C show detailed views of the SRFF-1L 1100 duringcylinder deactivation (no-lift mode). The Engine Control Unit (ECU) 825(FIG. 91) provides a signal to the OCV 822 such that oil pressure issupplied to the latch 1202 causing it to retract as shown in FIG. 93b .The pressure required to fully retract the latch is 2 bar or greater.The higher torsion spring 1124 (FIGS. 88, 99) preload in thissingle-lobe CDA embodiment enables the camshaft lobe 1320 to stay incontact with the inner arm 1108 roller bearing 1116 as this occurs inlost motion, and the engine valve remains closed as shown in FIG. 93 c.

3.3. Operating Parameters

An important factor in operating a CDA system 1400 (FIG. 91) is thereliable control of switching between normal-lift mode to no-lift mode.CDA valve actuation systems 1400 can only be switched between modesduring a predetermined window of time. As described above, switchingfrom high-lift mode to low-lift mode and vice versa is initiated by asignal from the engine control unit (ECU) 825 (FIG. 91) using logic thatanalyzes stored information, for example a switching window forparticular physical configuration, stored operating conditions, andprocessed data that is gathered by sensors. Switching window durationsare determined by the CDA system physical configuration, including thenumber of cylinders, the number of cylinders controlled by a single OCV,the valve lift duration, engine speed, and the latch response timesinherent in the hydraulic control and mechanical system.

3.3.1. Gathered Data

Real-time sensor information includes input from any number of sensors,as illustrated in the exemplary CDA-1L system 1400 illustrated in FIG.91. As described previously, sensors may include 1) valve stem movement829, as measured in one embodiment using a linear variable differentialtransformer (LVDT), 2) motion/position 828 and latch position 827 usinga Hall-effect sensor or motion detector, 3) DFHLA movement 826 using aproximity switch, Hall effect sensor, or other means, 4) oil pressure830, and 5) oil temperature 890. Cam shaft rotary position and speed maybe gathered directly or inferred from the engine speed sensor.

In a hydraulically actuated VVA system, the oil temperature affects thestiffness of the hydraulic system used for switching in systems such asCDA and VVL. If the oil is too cold, its viscosity slows switching time,causing a malfunction. This temperature relationship is illustrated foran exemplary CDA-1L switching rocker arm 1100 system 1400 in FIG. 96. Anaccurate oil temperature, in one embodiment taken with a sensor 890shown in FIG. 91, located near the point of use rather than in theengine oil crankcase, provides accurate information. In one example, theoil temperature in a CDA system 1400, monitored close to the oil controlvalves (OCV) 822, must be greater than or equal to 20 degrees C. toinitiate no-lift (unlatched) operation with the required hydraulicstiffness. Measurements can be taken with any number of commerciallyavailable components, for example a thermocouple. The oil control valvesare described further in published US Patent Applications US2010/0089347published Apr. 15, 2010 and US2010/0018482 published Jan. 28, 2010 bothhereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Sensor information is sent to the Engine Control Unit (ECU) 825 as areal-time operating parameter.

3.4. Stored Information

3.4.1. Switching Window Algorithms

The SRFF requires mode switching from the normal-lift to no-lift(deactivated), state and vice-versa. Switching is required to occur inless than one camshaft revolution to ensure proper engine operation.Mode switching can occur only when the SRFF is on the base circle 1322(FIG. 101) of the cam 1320. Switching between valve lift states cannotoccur when the latch 1202 (FIG. 93) is loaded and movement isrestricted. The latch 1202 transition period between full and partialengagement must be controlled to keep the latch 1202 from slipping.Switching windows combined with electro-mechanical latch response timesinherent in the CDA system 1400 (FIG. 91) identify the opportunities formode switching.

The intended functional parameters of the SRFF based CDA system 1400 isanalogous to the Type-V switching roller lifter designs that are inproduction today. The mode switch between normal-lift and no-lift is setto occur during the base circle 1322 event and be synchronized to thecamshaft 1300 rotational position. The SRFF default position is set tonormal-lift. The oil flow demand on the SRFF is also similar to theType-V CDA production systems.

A critical shift is defined as an unintended event that may occur whenlatch is partially engaged, causing the valve to lift partially andsuddenly drop back to the valve seat. This condition is unlikely, whenthe switching commands are executed during prescribed parameters of oiltemperature, engine speeds with the camshaft position synchronizedswitching. The critical shift event creates an impact load to the DFHLA110, which may require high strength DFHLA's, described in earliersections, as enabling system components.

The fundamentals the synchronized switching for the CDA system 1400 areillustrated in FIG. 94. The exhaust valve profile 1450 and intake valveprofile 1452 are plotted as a function of crankshaft angle. The requiredswitching window is defined as the sum of the time it takes for thefollowing operations: 1) the OCV 822 valve to supply pressurized oil, 2)the hydraulic system pressure to overcome the biasing spring 1204 andcause latch 1202 mechanical movement, and 3) the complete movement oflatch 1202 necessary for mode change from no-lift to normal-lift andvisa-versa. Switching window duration 1454, in this exhaust example,exists once the exhaust closes until the exhaust starts to open again.The latch 1202 remains restricted during the exhaust lift event. Thetiming windows that may cause critical shift 1456, described in moredetail in later sections, are identified in FIG. 94. The switchingwindow for the intake can be described in similar terms relative to theintake lift profile.

Latch Pre-Load

The CDA-1L rocker arm 1100 switching mechanism is designed such thathydraulic pressure can be applied to the latch 1202 after the latch lashis absorbed, resulting in no change in function. This design parameterallows hydraulic pressure to be initiated by the OCV 822 in the upperoil gallery 802 during the intake valve lift event. Once the intakevalve lift profile 1452 returns to the base circle 1322 no-loadcondition, the latch completes its movement to the specified latched orunlatched mode. This design parameter helps to maximize the availableswitching window.

Hydraulic Response Time Versus Temperature

FIG. 96 shows the dependence of latch 1202 response time on oiltemperature using SAE 5 W-30 oil. The latch 1202 response time, reflectsthe duration for the latch 1202 to move from normal-lift (latched) tono-lift (unlatched) position, and vice-versa. The latch 1202 responsetime requires ten milliseconds with an oil temperature of 20° C. and 3bar oil pressure in the switching pressure port 506. Latch response timeis reduced to five milliseconds under the same pressure conditions athigher operating temperatures, for example 40° C. Hydraulic responsetimes are used to determine switching windows.

Variable Valve Timing

Now, with reference to FIGS. 94 and 95, some camshaft drive systems aredesigned to have greater phasing authority/range of motion, relative tothe crankshaft angle than standard drive systems. This technology may bereferred to as variable valve timing, and must be considered along withengine speed when determining the allowable switching window duration1454.

The plots of valve lift profile as a function of crankshaft angle areshown in FIG. 95, illustrating the effect that variable valve timing hason the switching window duration 1454. Exhaust valve lift profile 1450and intake valve lift profile 1452 show a typical cycle with no variablevalve timing capability that results in no switching window 1455 (alsoseen in FIG. 94), Exhaust valve lift profile 1460 and intake valve liftprofile 1462 show a typical cycle that has variable valve timingcapability that results in no switching window 1464. This example ofvariable valve timing results in an increase in the duration of the noswitching window 1458. Assuming a variable valve timing capability of120 degrees crankshaft angle duration between the exhaust and intakecamshafts, the time duration shift 1458 is 6 milliseconds at 3500 enginerpm.

FIG. 97 is a plot showing calculated and measured variations inswitching time due to the effects of temperature and cam phasing. Theplot is based on a switching window that ranges from 420 crankshaftdegrees with camshaft phasing at minimum overlap 1468 to 540 crankshaftdegrees with camshaft phasing at maximum overlap 1466. The latchresponse time of 5 milliseconds shown on this plot is for normal engineoperating temperatures of 40-120° C. The hydraulic response variation1470 is measured from ECU 825 switching signal initiation until thehydraulic pressure is sufficient to cause the latch 1202 to move. Basedon CDA system 1400 studies that use OCVs to control hydraulic oilpressure, the maximum variation is approximately 10 milliseconds. Thishydraulic response variation 1470 takes into consideration voltage tothe OCV 822, temperature, and oil pressure in the engine. The phasingposition with minimum overlap 1468 provides an available switching timeof 20 milliseconds at 3500 engine rpm, and the total latch response timeis 15 milliseconds, representing a 5 millisecond margin between the timeavailable for switching and the latch 1202 response time.

FIG. 98 is also a plot showing calculated and measured variations inswitching time due to the effects of temperature and cam phasing. Theplot is based on a switching window that ranges from 420 crankshaftdegrees with camshaft phasing at minimum overlap 1468 to 540 crankshaftdegrees with camshaft phasing at maximum overlap 1466. The latchresponse time of 10 milliseconds shown on this plot is for a cold engineoperating temperatures of 20° C. The hydraulic response variation 1470is measured from ECU 825 switching signal initiation until the hydraulicpressure is sufficient to cause the latch 1202 to move. Based on CDAsystem 1400 studies that use OCVs to control hydraulic oil pressure, themaximum variation is approximately 10 milliseconds. This hydraulicresponse variation 1470 takes into consideration voltage to the OCV 822,temperature, and oil pressure in the engine. The phasing position withminimum overlap 1468 provides an available switching time of 20milliseconds at 3500 engine rpm, and the total latch response time is 20milliseconds, representing reduced design margin between the timeavailable for switching and the latch 1202 response time.

3.4.2. Stored Operating Parameters

These variables include engine configuration parameters such as variablevalve timing and predicted latch response times as a function ofoperating temperature.

3.5. Control Logic

As noted above, CDA switching can only occur during a smallpredetermined window of time under certain operating conditions, andswitching the CDA system outside of the timing window may result in acritical shift event, that could result in damage to the valve trainand/or other engine parts. Because engine conditions such as oilpressure, temperature, emissions, and load may vary rapidly, ahigh-speed processor can be used to analyze real-time conditions,compare them to known operating parameters that characterize a workingsystem, reconcile the results to determine when to switch, and send aswitching signal. These operations can be performed hundreds orthousands of times per second. In embodiments, this computing functionmay be performed by a dedicated processor, or by an existingmulti-purpose automotive control system referred to as the enginecontrol unit (ECU). A typical ECU has an input section for analog anddigital data, a processing section that includes a microprocessor,programmable memory, and random access memory, and an output sectionthat might include relays, switches, and warning light actuation.

In one embodiment, the engine control unit (ECU) 825 shown in FIG. 91,accepts input from multiple sensors such as valve stem movement 829,motion/position 828, latch position 827, DFHLA movement 826, oilpressure 830, and oil temperature 890. Data such as allowable operatingtemperature and pressure for given engine speeds and switching windowsare stored in memory. Real-time gathered information is then comparedwith stored information and analyzed to provide the logic for ECU 825switching timing and control.

After input is analyzed, a control signal is transmitted by the ECU 825to the OCV 822 to initiate switching operation, which may be timed toavoid critical shift events while meeting engine performance goals suchas improved fuel economy and lowered emissions. If necessary, the ECU825 may also alert operators to error conditions.

4. CDA-1L Rocker Arm Assembly

FIG. 99 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary CDA-1L rocker arm1100. The CDA-1L rocker arm 1100 is shown by way of example only and itwill be appreciated that the configuration of the CDA-1L rocker arm 1100that is the subject of this application is not limited to theconfiguration of the CDA-1L rocker arm 1100 illustrated in the figurescontained herein.

As shown in FIGS. 99 and 100, the CDA-1L rocker arm 1100 includes anouter arm 1102 having a first outer side arm 1104 and a second outerside arm 1106. An inner arm 1108 is disposed between the first outerside arm 1104 and second outer side arm 1106. The inner arm 1108 has afirst inner side arm 1110 and a second inner side arm 1112. The innerarm 1108 and outer arm 1102 are both mounted to a pivot axle 1114,located adjacent the first end 1101 of the rocker arm 1100, whichsecures the inner arm 1108 to the outer arm 1102 while also allowing arotational degree of freedom pivoting about the pivot axle 1114 when therocker arm 1100 is in a no-lift state. In addition to the illustratedembodiment having a separate pivot axle 1114 mounted to the outer arm1102 and inner arm 1108, the pivot axle 1114 may be integral to theouter arm 1102 or the inner arm 1108.

The CDA-1L rocker arm 1100 has a bearing 1190 comprising a roller 1116that is mounted between the first inner side arm 1110 and second innerside arm 1112 on a bearing axle 1118 that, during normal operation ofthe rocker arm, serves to transfer energy from a rotating cam (notshown) to the rocker arm 1100. Mounting the roller 1116 on the bearingaxle 1118 allows the bearing 1190 to rotate about the axle 1118, whichserves to reduce the friction generated by the contact of the rotatingcam with the roller 1116. As discussed herein, the roller 1116 isrotatably secured to the inner arm 1108, which in turn may rotaterelative to the outer arm 1102 about the pivot axle 1114 under certainconditions. In the illustrated embodiment, the bearing axle 1118 ismounted to the inner arm 1108 in the bearing axle apertures 1260 of theinner arm 1108 and extends through the bearing axle slots 1126 of theouter arm 1102. Other configurations are possible when utilizing abearing axle 1118, such as having the bearing axle 1118 not extendthrough bearing axle slots 1126 but still mounted in bearing axleapertures 1260 of the inner arm 1108, for example.

When the rocker arm 1100 is in a no-lift state, the inner arm 1108pivots downwardly relative to the outer arm 1102 when the liftingportion of the cam (1324 in FIG. 101) comes into contact with the roller1116 of bearing 1190, thereby pressing it downward. The axle slots 1126allow for the downward movement of the bearing axle 1118, and thereforeof the inner arm 1108 and bearing 1190. As the cam continues to rotate,the lifting portion of the cam rotates away from the roller 1116 ofbearing 1190, allowing the bearing 1190 to move upwardly as the bearingaxle 1118 is biased upwardly by the bearing axle torsion springs 1124.The illustrated bearing axle springs 1124 are torsion springs secured tomounts 1150 located on the outer arm 1102 by spring retainers 1130. Thetorsion springs 1124 are secured adjacent the second end 1103 of therocker arm 1100 and have spring arms 1127 that come into contact withthe bearing axle 1118. As the bearing axle 1118 and spring arm 1127 movedownward, the bearing axle 1118 slides along the spring arm 1127. Theconfiguration of rocker arm 1100 having the torsion springs 1124 securedadjacent the second end 1103 of the rocker arm 1100, and the pivot axle1114 located adjacent the first end 1101 of the rocker arm, with thebearing axle 1118 between the pivot axle 1114 and the axle spring 1124,lessens the mass near the first end 1101 of the rocker arm.

As shown in FIGS. 101 and 102, the valve stem 1350 is also in contactwith the rocker arm 1100 near its first end 1101, and thus the reducedmass at the first end 1101 of the rocker arm 1100 reduces the mass ofthe overall valve train (not shown), thereby reducing the forcenecessary to change the velocity of the valve train. It should be notedthat other spring configurations may be used to bias the bearing axle1118, such as a single continuous spring.

FIG. 100 illustrates an exploded view of the CDA-1L rocker arm 1100 ofFIG. 99. The exploded view in FIG. 100 and the assembly view in FIG. 99,show bearing 1190, a needle roller-type bearing that comprises asubstantially cylindrical roller 1116 in combination with needles 1200,which can be mounted on a bearing axle 1118. The bearing 1190 serves totransfer the rotational motion of the cam to the rocker arm 100 that inturn transfers motion to the valve stem 350, for example in theconfiguration shown in FIGS. 101 and 102. As shown in FIGS. 99 and 100,the bearing axle 1118 may be mounted in the bearing axle apertures 1260of the inner arm 1108. In such a configuration, the axle slots 1126 ofthe outer arm 1102 accept the bearing axle 1118 and allow for lostmotion movement of the bearing axle 1118 and by extension the inner arm1108 when the rocker arm 1100 is in a non-lift state. “Lost motion”movement can be considered movement of the rocker arm 1100 that does nottransmit the rotating motion of the cam to the valve. In the illustratedembodiments, lost motion is exhibited by the pivotal motion of the innerarm 1108 relative to the outer arm 1102 about the pivot axle 1114.

Other configurations other than bearing 1190 also permit the transfer ofmotion from the cam to the rocker arm 1100. For example, a smoothnon-rotating surface (not shown) for interfacing with the cam lift lobe(1320 in FIG. 101) may be mounted on or formed integral to the inner arm1108 at approximately the location where the bearing 1190 is shown inFIG. 99 relative to the inner arm 1108 and rocker arm 1100. Such anon-rotating surface may comprise a friction pad formed on thenon-rotating surface. In another example, alternative bearings, such asbearings with multiple concentric rollers, may be used effectively as asubstitute for bearing 1190.

With reference to FIGS. 99 and 100, the elephant foot 1140 is mounted onthe pivot axle 1114 between the first 1110 and second 1112 inner sidearms. The pivot axle 1114 is mounted in the inner pivot axle apertures1220 and outer pivot axle apertures 1230 adjacent the first end 1101 ofthe rocker arm 1100. Lips 1240 formed on inner arm 1108 prevent theelephant foot 1140 from rotating about the pivot axle 1114. The elephantfoot 1140 engages the end of the valve stem 1350 as shown in FIG. 102.In an alternative embodiment, the elephant foot 1140 may be removed, andinstead an interfacing surface complementary to the tip of the valvestem 1350 may be placed on the pivot axle 1114.

FIGS. 101 and 102 illustrate a side view and front view, respectively,of rocker arm 1100 in relation to a cam 1300 having a lift lobe 1320with a base circle 1322 and lifting portion 1324. A roller 1116 isillustrated in contact with the lift lobe 1320. A dual feed hydrauliclash adjuster (DFHLA) 110 engages the rocker arm 1100 adjacent itssecond end 1103, and applies upward pressure to the rocker arm 1100, andin particular the outer rocker arm 1102, while mitigating against valvelash. The valve stem 1350 engages the elephant foot 1140 adjacent thefirst end 1101 of the rocker arm 1100. In the normal-lift state, therocker arm 1100 periodically pushes the valve stem 1350 downward, whichserves to open the corresponding valve (not shown).

4.1. Torsion Spring

As described in following sections, a rocker arm 1100 in the no-liftstate may be subjected to excessive pump-up of the lash adjuster 110,whether due to excessive oil pressure, the onset of non-steady-stateconditions, or other causes. This may result in an increase in theeffective length of the lash adjuster 110 as pressurized oil fills itsinterior. Such a scenario may occur for example during a cold start ofthe engine, and could take significant time to resolve on its own ifleft unchecked and could even result in permanent engine damage. Undersuch circumstances, the latch 1202 may not be able to activate therocker arm 1100 until the lash adjuster 110 has returned to a normaloperating length. In this scenario, the lash adjuster 110 applies upwardpressure to the outer arm 1102, bringing the outer arm 1102 closer tothe cam 1300.

The lost motion torsion spring 1124 on the SRFF-1L was designed toprovide sufficient force to keep the roller bearing 1116 in contact withthe camshaft lift lobe 1320 during no-lift operation to ensurecontrolled acceleration and deceleration of the inner arm subassemblyand controlled return of the inner arm 1108 to the latching positionwhile preserving the latch lash. A pump-up scenario requires a strongertorsion spring 1124 to compensate for the additional force from pump-up.

Rectangular wire cross sections for the torsion springs 1124 were usedto reduce the package space, keeping the assembly moment of inertia lowand providing sufficient cross section height to sustain the operatingloads. Stress calculations and FEA, and test validation, described infollowing sections, were used in developing the torsion spring 1124components.

A torsion spring 1124 (FIG. 99) design and manufacturing process isdescribed that results in a compact design with a generally rectangularshaped wire made with selected materials of construction.

Now, with reference to FIGS. 30A, 30B, and 99, the torsion spring 1124is constructed from a wire 397 that is generally trapezoidal in shape.The trapezoidal shape is designed to allow wire 397 to deform into agenerally rectangular shape as force is applied during the windingprocess. After torsion spring 1124 is wound, the shape of the resultingwires can be described as similar to a first wire 396 with a generallyrectangular shape cross section. FIG. 99 shows two torsion springembodiments, illustrated as multiple coils 398, 399 in cross section. Ina preferred embodiment, wire 396 has a rectangular cross sectionalshape, with two elongated sides, shown here as the vertical sides 402,404 and a top 401 and bottom 403. The ratio of the average length ofside 402 and side 404 to the average length of top 401 and bottom 403 ofthe coil can be any value less than 1. This ratio produces morestiffness along the coil axis of bending 400 than a spring coiled withround wire with a diameter equal to the average length of top 401 andbottom 403 of the coil 398. In an alternate embodiment, the crosssection wire shape has a generally trapezoidal shape with a larger top401 and a smaller bottom 403.

In this configuration, as the coils are wound, elongated side 402 ofeach coil rests against the elongated side 402 of the previous coil,thereby stabilizing the torsion springs 1124. The shape and arrangementholds all of the coils in an upright position, preventing them frompassing over each other or angling when under pressure.

When the rocker arm assembly 1100 is operating, the generallyrectangular or trapezoidal shape of the torsion springs 1124, as theybend about axis 400 shown in FIGS. 30A and 30B, produce high partstress, particularly tensile stress on top surface 401. To meetdurability requirements, a combination of techniques and materials areused together. For example, the torsion spring may be made of a materialthat includes Chrome Vanadium alloy steel along with this design toimprove strength and durability. The torsion spring may be heated andquickly cooled to temper the springs. This reduces residual part stress.Impacting the surface of the wire 396, 397 used for creating the torsionsprings with projectiles, or ‘shot peening’ is used to put residualcompressive stress in the surface of the wire 396, 397. The wire 396,397 is then wound into the torsion spring. Due to their shot peening,the resulting torsion springs can now accept more tensile stress thanidentical springs made without shot peening.

4.2. Torsion Spring Pocket

As illustrated in FIG. 100, knob 1262 extends from the end of thebearing axle 1118 and creates a slot 1264 in which the spring arm 1127sits. In one alternative, a hollow bearing axle 1118 may be used alongwith a separate spring mounting pin (not shown) comprising a featuresuch as the knob 1262 and slot 1264 for mounting the spring arm 1127.

4.3. Outer Arm Assembly

4.3.1. Latch Mechanism Description

The mechanism for selectively deactivating the rocker arm 1100, which inthe illustrated embodiment is found near the second end 1103 of therocker arm 1100, is shown in FIG. 100 as comprising latch 1202, latchspring 1204, spring retainer 1206 and clip 1208. The latch 1202 isconfigured to be mounted inside the outer arm 1102. The latch spring1204 is placed inside the latch 1202 and secured in place by the latchspring retainer 1206 and clip 1208. Once installed, the latch spring1204 biases the latch 1202 toward the first end 1101 of the rocker arm1100, allowing the latch 1202, and in particular the engaging portion1210 to engage the inner arm 1108, thereby preventing the inner arm 1108from moving with respect to the outer arm 1102. When the latch 1202 isengaged with the inner arm in this way, the rocker arm 1100 is in thenormal-lift state, and will transfer motion from the cam to the valvestem.

In the assembled rocker arm 1100, the latch 1202 alternates betweennormal-lift and no-lift states. The rocker arm 1100 may enter theno-lift state when oil pressure sufficient to counteract the biasingforce of latch spring 1204 is applied, for example, through the port1212 which is configured to permit oil pressure to be applied to thesurface of the latch 1202. When the oil pressure is applied, the latch1202 is pushed toward the second end 1103 of the rocker arm 1100,thereby withdrawing the latch 1202 from engagement with the inner arm1108 and allowing the inner arm 1108 to rotate about the pivot axle1114. In both the normal-lift and no-lift states, the linear portion1250 of orientation clip 1214 engages the latch 1202 at the flat surface1218. The orientation clip 1250 is mounted in the clip apertures 1216,and thereby maintains a horizontal orientation of the linear portion1250 relative to the rocker arm 1100. This restricts the orientation ofthe flat surface 1218 to also be horizontal, thereby orienting the latch1202 in the appropriate direction for consistent engagement with theinner arm 1108.

4.3.2. Latch Pin Design

As shown in FIGS. 93 A,B,C, the SRFF-1L rocker arm 1100 latch 1202operating in no-lift mode is retracted inside the outer arm1202, whilethe inner arm 1108 follows the camshaft lift lobe 1320. Under certainconditions, transitioning from no-lift mode to normal-lift mode canresult in a condition shown in FIG. 103, where the latch 1202 extendsbefore the inner arm 1108 returns to the position where the latch 1202normally engages.

A re-engagement feature was added to the SRFF to prevent the conditionwhere the inner arm 1108 is blocked and trapped in a position below thelatch 1202. An inner arm sloped surface 1474 and a latch sloped surface1472 were optimized to provide smooth latch 1202 movement to theretracted position when the inner arm 1108 contacts the latch slopedsurface 1472. The design avoids damage to latch mechanism that may becaused by pressure changes at the switching pressure port 506 (FIG. 88).

As described in previous sections pertaining to DVVL rocker arm assemblyand operation, several latch embodiments may be employed to allowreliable operation of the latching mechanism during operatingconditions, including latches with round or other non-flat shapes.

4.4. System Packaging

The SRFF-1F design is focused on minimizing valvetrain packaging changescompared to a standard production layout. Important design parametersinclude relative placement of the camshaft lobes in relation to the SRFFroller bearing, and axial alignment between the steel camshaft andaluminum cylinder head. The steel and aluminum components have differentthermal growth coefficients that can shift the camshaft lobes relativeto the SRFF-1F.

FIG. 104 shows both proper and poor alignment of the single camshaftlobe relative to the SRFF-1L 1100 outer arm 1102 and bearing 1116. Theproper alignment shows the camshaft lift lobe 1320 centered over theroller bearing 1116. The single camshaft lobe 1320 and SRFF-1L 1110 isdesigned to avoid edge loading 1482 on the roller bearing 1116 and avoidcam lobe 1320 contact 1480 with the outer arm 1102. The elimination ofcamshaft no-lift lobes found in multi-lobe CDA configurations relaxesthe requirements for tight manufacturing tolerances and assembly controlof the camshaft lobe width and position, making the camshaftmanufacturing process similar to that of standard camshafts used on TypeII engines.

4.5. CDA-1L Latch Mechanism Hydraulic Operation

As previously mentioned, pump-up is a term used to describe a conditionin which the HLA is extended past its intended working dimension;thereby preventing the valve from returning to its seat during the basecircle event.

FIG. 105 below shows a standard valvetrain system and the forces actingon the roller finger follower assembly (RFF) 1496 during a camshaft basecircle event. The hydraulic lash adjuster force 1494 is a combination ofthe hydraulic lash adjuster (HLA) 1493 force generated by the oilpressure in the lash compensation port 1491 and the HLA internal springforce. The cam reaction force 1490 is between the camshaft 1320 and theRFF bearing. The reaction force 1492 is between the RFF 1496 and thevalve 112 tip. The force balance must be such that the valve springforce 1492 will prevent unintentional opening of the valve 112. If thevalve reaction force 1492 generated by the HLA force 1494 and camreaction force 1490 exceeds the seating force required to seat the valve112, then the valve 112 will be lifted and held open during base circleoperation, which is undesirable. This description of the standard fixedarm system does not include the dynamic operating loads.

The SRFF-1L 1100 was designed with additional consideration for pump-upwhen the system is in no-lift mode. Pump-up of the DFHLA 110 when theSRFF-1L 1100 is in no-lift mode can create a condition in which theinner arm 1108 does not return to the position where the latch 1202 canre-engage the inner arm 1108.

The SRFF-1L 1100 reacts similarly to a standard RFF 1496 (FIG. 105) whenthe SRFF-1L 1100 is in normal-lift mode. Maintaining the required latchlash to switch the SRFF-1L 1100 while preventing pump-up is resolved byapplying additional force from the torsion springs 1124 to overcome theHLA force 1494 in addition to the torsional already force required toreturn the inner arm 1108 to its the latch engagement position.

FIG. 106 shows the balance of forces acting on the SRFF-1L 1100 when thesystem is in no-lift mode: the DFHLA force 1499, caused by the oilpressure at the lash compensator port 512 (FIG. 88) plus the plungerspring force 1498, the cam reaction force 1490, and the torsion springforce 1495. The torsion force 1495 produced by springs 1124 isconverted, via the bearing axle 1118 and the spring arms 1127, to springreaction force 1500 acting on the inner arm 1108.

The torsion springs 1124 in the SRFF-1L rocker arm assembly 1100 weredesigned to provide sufficient force to keep the roller bearing 1116 incontact with the camshaft lift lobe 1320 during no-lift mode to ensurecontrolled acceleration and deceleration of the inner arm 1108subassembly and return the inner arm 1108 to the latching position whilepreserving the latch lash 1205. The torsion spring 1124 design forSRFF-1L 1100 design also accounts for a variation in oil pressure at thelash compensation port 512 when the system is in no-lift mode. Oilpressure regulation can reduce the load requirements for the torsionsprings 1124 with direct effect on the spring sizing.

FIG. 107 shows the requirements for oil pressure in the lashcompensation pressure port 512. Limited oil pressure for the SRFF-1L isonly required when the system is in no-lift mode. Consideration forsynchronized switching, described in earlier sections, limits theno-lift mode for temperatures lower than 20° C.

4.6. CDA-1L Assembly Lash Management

FIG. 108 shows the latch lash 1205 for the SRFF-1L 1100. For asingle-lobe CDA system, the total mechanical lash 1505 is reduced to asingle latch lash 1205 value, as opposed to the sum of camshaft lash1504 and latch lash 1205 for CDA designs with more than one lobe. Thelatch lash 1205 for the SRFF-1L 1100 is the distance between the latch1202 and the inner arm 1108.

FIG. 109 compares the opening ramp on a camshaft designed for athree-lobe SRFF and the single-lobe SRFF-1L.

Camshaft lash was eliminated by design for the single-lobe SRFF-1L. Theelimination of the camshaft lash 1504 allows further optimization of thecamshaft lift profile, by creating a lifting ramp reduction 1510, thusallowing for longer lift events. The camshaft opening ramps 1506 for theSRFF-1L are reduced up to 36% from the camshaft opening ramps 1506required for similar designs using multiple lobes.

In addition, mechanical lash variation on the SRFF-1L is improved 39%over an analogous three-lobe design due to the elimination of thecamshaft lash and the features associated with it, for example,manufacturing tolerances for the camshaft no-lift lobes base circleradius, lobe run-out, required slider pad to slider pad and slider padto roller bearing parallelism.

4.7. CDA-1L Assembly Dynamics

4.7.1. Detailed Description

The SRFF-1L rocker arm 1100 and system 1400 (FIG. 91) is designed tomeet the dynamic stability requirements for the entire engine operatingrange. SRFF stiffness and moment of inertia (MOI) were analyzed for theSRFF design. The MOI of the SRFF-1L assembly 1100 is measured about thepivot axle 1114 (FIG. 99) which is the rotational axis that passesthrough the SRFF socket that is in contact with the DFHLA 110. Stiffnessis measured at the interface between cam 1320 and bearing 1116. FIG. 110shows measured stiffness plotted against calculated assembly MOI. TheSRFF-1L relationship between stiffness and MOI compares well withstandard RFF's used on Type II engines currently in production.

4.7.2. Analysis

Several design and Finite Element Analysis (FEA) iterations wereperformed to maximize the stiffness and reduce MOI over the DFHLA end ofthe SRFF. The mass intensive components were placed over the DFHLA endof the SRFF to minimize the MOI. The torsion springs 1124, one of theheaviest components in the SRFF assembly were positioned in closeproximity to the SRFF rotational axis. The latching mechanism was alsolocated near the DFHLA. The vertical section height of the SRFF wasincreased to maximize stiffness while minimizing MOI.

The SRFF designs were optimized using load information from kinematicmodeling. Key input parameters for the analysis include valvetrainlayout, SRFF elements of mass, moment of inertia, stiffness (predictedby the FEA), mechanical lash, valve spring loads and rates, DFHLAgeometry and plunger spring, and valve lift profiles. Next, the systemwas altered to meet the predicted dynamic targets, by optimizing thestiffness versus the effective mass over the valve of the CDA SRFF. Theeffective mass over the valve represents the ratio between the MOI inrespect to the pivot point of the SRFF and the square distance betweenthe valve and the SRFF pivot. The tested dynamic performance isdescribed in later sections.

5. Design Verification and Testing

5.1. Valve Train Dynamic Results

Dynamic behavior of a valvetrain is important in controlling the NoiseVibration and Harshness (NVH) while meeting the durability andperformance targets of an engine. Valvetrain dynamics are partiallyinfluenced by the stiffness and MOI of the SRFF component. The MOI ofthe SRFF can be readily calculated and the stiffness is estimatedthrough Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) techniques. Dynamic valvemotion is also influenced by a variety of factors, so tests wereconducted gain assurance in high speed valve control.

A motorized engine test rig was utilized for valvetrain dynamics. Acylinder head was instrumented prior to the test. Oil was heated torepresent actual engine conditions. A speed sweep was performed fromidle speed to 7500 rpm, recording data as defined by engine speed.Dynamic performance was determined by evaluating valve closing velocityand valve bounce. The SRFF-1L was strain gaged for the purpose ofmonitoring load. Valve spring loads were held constant to the fixedsystem for consistency.

FIG. 111 illustrates the resultant seating closing velocity of an intakevalve. Data was acquired for eight consecutive events showing theminimum, average, and maximum velocities relative to engine speed. Thetarget velocity is shown as the maximum speed for seating velocity thatis typical in the industry. The target seating velocity was maintainedup to approximately 7500 engine rpm which illustrates acceptable dynamiccontrol for passenger car engine applications.

5.2. Torsion Spring Validation

Torsion springs are key components for the SRFF-1L design, especiallyduring high speed operation. Concept validation was conducted on thesprings to validate the robustness. Three elements of the spring designwere tested for proof of concept. First, load loss was documented underthe conditions of high cycling at operating temperature. Spring loadloss, or relaxation, represents the reduction of the spring load at endof test from beginning of test. The load loss was also documented byapplying highest stress levels and subjecting parts to hightemperatures. Second, the durability and the springs were tested atworst case load and cycled to validate fatigue life, as well as the loadloss as mentioned. Finally, the function of the lost motion springs werevalidated by using lowest load springs and verifying that the DFHLA doesnot pump up during all operating conditions in CDA mode.

The torsion springs were cycled at engine operating temperatures in theengine oil environment on a targeted fixture test. Torsion springs werecycled with the full stroke of the application with the highest preloadconditions to represent worst case stress. The cycling target value wasset at 25 million and 50 million cycles. Torsion springs were alsosubjected to a heat-set test in which they were loaded to highestapplication stress and held at 140° C. for 50 hours and measured forload loss.

FIG. 112 summarizes the load loss for both the cycling test and the heatset test. All parts passed with a maximum load loss of 8% while thedesign target was set to 10% maximum load loss.

The results indicated a maximum load loss of 8% and met the designtarget. Many of the tests showed minimal load loss near 1%. All testswere safely within the design guidelines for load loss.

5.3. Pump-Up Robustness During Cylinder Deactivation

Torsion springs 1124 (FIG. 99) are designed to prevent the HLA pump-upto preserve the latch lash 1205 (FIG. 108) when the system operates inno-lift mode. The test apparatus was designed to sustain engine oilpressure at the lash compensation pressure port over the range of oiltemperatures and engine speed conditions where mode switching isrequired.

Validation experiments were performed to prove torsion spring 1124ability to preserve latch lash 1205 at required conditions. The testswere conducted on motorized engines, with instrumentation for measuringthe valve and the CDA SRFF motion, oil pressure and temperature at thelash compensation pressure port 512 (FIG. 88) and switching pressureport 506 (FIG. 88).

Low limit lost motion springs were used to simulate worst condition.This test was conducted at 3500 rpm which represents the maximumswitching speed. Two operating temperatures were considered of 58° C.and 130° C. Test results show pump-up at pressures 25% higher than theapplication requirement.

FIG. 113 shows the lowest pump-up pressure measured 1540, which is onthe exhaust side at 58° C. Pump-up pressure for the intake at 58° C. and130° C. and exhaust at 130° C. were higher than the pump-up pressure ofthe exhaust side at 58° C. The SRFF was in switching mode, having eventson normal-lift and events in no-lift mode. Proximity probes were used todetect valve motion in order to validate the SRFF mode state atcorresponding pressure at the switching pressure port 506. The pressurein the lash compensator port 512 was gradually increased and switchingfrom no-lift mode to normal-lift mode was monitored. The pressure atwhich the system ceased to switch was recorded as pump-up pressure 1540.The system safely avoids pump-up pressures when the oil pressure ismaintained at or below 5 bar for the SRFF-1L design. Concept testing wasconducted with specially procured high limit torque torsion spring tosimulate the worst case fatigue design margin condition. The concepttesting conducted on the high load torsion spring met the requireddesign goal.

5.4. Validation of Mechanical Lash During Switching Durability

Mechanical lash control is important to valvetrain dynamic stability andmust be maintained through the life of the engine. A test with loadingof the latch and switching between normal-lift mode and no-lift mode wasconsidered appropriate to validate the wear and the performance of thelatch mechanism. Switching durability was tested by switching the latchfrom the engaged to disengaged position, cycling the SRFF in no-liftmode, engaging the latch with the inner arm and cycling the SRFF innormal-lift mode. One cycle is defined to disengage and then re-engagethe latch and exercise the SRFF in the two modes. The durability targetfor switching is 3,000,000 cycles. 3,000,000 cycles represents theequivalent of one engine life. One engine life is defined as anequivalent of 200,000 miles which is safely above the 150,000 milestandard. Parts were tested at highest switching speed target of 3500engine rpm to simulate worst case dynamic load during switching.

FIG. 114 illustrates the change in mechanical lash at periodicinspection points during the test. This test was conducted on one bankof a six cylinder engine fixture. Since there are three cylinders perbank and four SRFF-1L's per cylinder, twelve profiles are shown. Themechanical lash limit change of 0.020 mm was established as the designwear target. All SRFF-1L's show a safe margin of lash wear below thewear target at the equivalent of the vehicle life. The test was extendedto 25% over the life target at which time parts were approaching themaximum lash change target value.

The valvetrain dynamics, Torsion spring load loss, pump-up validationand mechanical lash over an equivalent engine life all met intendedtargets for the SRFF-1L. The valvetrain dynamics, in terms of closingvelocity, is safely within the limit at maximum engine speed of 7200 rpmand at the limit for a higher speed of 7500 rpm. The LMS load lossshowed a maximum loss of 8% which is safely within the design target of10%. A pump-up test was performed showing that the SRFF-1L designoperates properly given a target oil pressure of 5 bar. Finally, themechanical lash variation over an equivalent engine lift is safelywithin the design target. The SRFF-1L meets all design requirements forcylinder deactivation on a gasoline passenger car application

6. Conclusions

Cylinder deactivation is a proven method to improve fuel economy forpassenger car gasoline vehicles. The design, development, and validationof a single-lobe SRFF based cylinder deactivation system was completed,providing the ability to improve fuel economy by reducing the pumpinglosses and operating a portion of the engine cylinders at highercombustion efficiencies. The system preserves the base architecture of astandard Type II valvetrain by maintaining the same centerlines for theengine valves, camshaft and lash adjusters. The engine cylinder headrequires the addition of the OCV and oil control ports in the cylinderhead to allow for hydraulic switching of the SRFF from normal lift modeto deactivation mode. The system requires one OCV per engine cylinder,and is typically configured with four identical SRFF's for the intakeand exhaust, along with one DFHLA per SRFF.

The SRFF-1L design provides a solution that reduces system complexityand cost. The most important enabling technology for the SRFF-1L designis the modification to the lost motion torsion spring. The LMS wasdesigned to maintain continuous contact between a single lobe camshaftand the SRFF during both normal-lift and no-lift modes. Although thistorsion spring requires slightly more packaging space, the overallsystem becomes less complex with the elimination of a three lobecamshaft. The axial stack up of the SRFF-1L is reduced from a three-lobeCDA design since there are no outer camshaft lobes that increase thechance of edge loading on the outer arm sliding pads and interferencewith the inner arm. Rocker arm stiffness levels for the SRFF-1L arecomparable with standard production rocker arms.

The moment of inertia was minimized by placing the heavier componentsover the end pivot that sits directly on the DFHLA, namely the latchingmechanism and the torsion springs. This feature enables bettervalvetrain dynamics by minimizing the effective mass over the valve. Thesystem was designed and validated to engine speeds of 7200 rpm duringstandard lift mode and 3500 rpm for cylinder deactivation mode. Thecomponents also were validated to at least one engine life that isequivalent to 200,000 engine miles.

While the present disclosure illustrates various aspects of the presentteachings, and while these aspects have been described in some detail,it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limitthe scope of the claimed teachings of the present application to suchdetail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear tothose skilled in the art. Therefore, the teachings of the presentapplication, in its broader aspects, are not limited to the specificdetails and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly,departures may be made from such details without departing from thespirit or scope of the applicant's claimed teachings of the presentapplication. Moreover, the foregoing aspects are illustrative, and nosingle feature or element is essential to all possible combinations thatmay be claimed in this or a later application.

III. VVA ENGINE AND CYLINDER HEAD ARRANGEMENTS

1. Switching Rocker Arm Assemblies

1.1. Description—General Engine Structure

FIGS. 115 and 116 illustrate a partial engine head assembly that is aconventional Type II, dual overhead cam internal combustion engine withthe exhaust cam. Exhaust cam rockers, valves and a portion of the intakevalve camshaft are removed for clarity. It should be noted here that thepresent teachings are equally applicable to other engine designs havingsimilar arrangements and obstructions.

A plurality of cam towers 10 extend upward having a cam tower bottom 13section that extends upward from the cylinder head. The upper side ofthe cam tower bottom 13 has a semi-circular recess.

A cam tower cap 11 is bolted to the cam tower bottom 13. The cam towercap 11 has a similar semi-circular recess facing downward such that whenthe cam tower cap 11 is bolted to the cam tower bottom 13, the recessescreate a circular cam recess 321 that receives the camshafts. Camrecesses 321 are sized and constructed to secure but allow the intakeand exhaust camshafts to freely rotate.

Spark plug tubes 20 in this aspect of the present teachings are locatedbetween the cam towers 10 and parallel to a centerline 21 passingthrough the center of the cylinder head. The spark plug tubes 20 extenddownward through the cylinder head into the top of each engine cylinderand is designed to receive a spark plug.

1.2. VVA Switching Rocker Arm Arrangements

1.2.1. Symmetrical Arrangements

This engine head assembly shown in FIGS. 115 and 116 has enough space toaccept a symmetrical variable valve lift (VVL) rocker arm assembly 100as previously described.

The VVL rocker arm assembly 100 will be used for the remainder of thedescription provided here; however, it is understood that these aspectsof the present teachings may be applied to various other rocker armassemblies installed on heads having small clearances on one side of therocker assemblies.

This VVL rocker arm assembly 100 is driven by a camshaft having threelobes per cylinder. It is shown here in FIGS. 115 and 116 with thecamshafts removed except a middle cam lobe 324 and an outer cam lobe 326remain and are shown. In this aspect of the present teachings, a rockerarm assembly 100 is shown that has an inboard end 101 (or a first end101) and an outboard end 103 (or a second end 103). The term ‘inboard’refers to a direction inward toward centerline 21 and ‘outboard’ refersto a direction outward away from the centerline 21.

As seen in FIG. 116, it is seen that the VVL rocker arm assembly 100inboard end 101 is supported by a hydraulic lash adjuster 340. Theoutboard end 103 rests upon valve stem 350.

As middle cam lobe 324 turns and presses downward onto the VVL rockerarm assembly 100, it causes outboard end 103 of VVL rocker arm assembly100 to push valve stem 350 downward opening the poppet valve connectedto valve stem 350. When an internal latch is operated by providinghigh-pressure oil to it, the VVL rocker arm assembly 100 causes thevalves to lift according to the shape of the outer cam lobes 326. Thisis further described below in connection with FIG. 117.

1.2.2. Non-Symmetrical Arrangements

In FIG. 117, the torsion springs 135, 137 and spring posts 141, 143 makethe VVL rocker arm assembly 100 wider at its first end as compared witha standard rocker arm. The design of the VVL rocker arm assembly 100(and that of the CDA rocker arm) is wider than standard rocker arms andcan fit in only certain cylinder heads. There is enough clearance in thecylinder heads shown in FIGS. 115 and 116, however, in certain engineheads, there is not enough clearance from other structures, such as acam tower or spark plug tube, and this VVL rocker arm assembly 100 couldnot be used.

As indicated above, it is very costly to redesign/modify cylinder heads,cam drives and gear trains. Also, many different manufacturers may makeequipment based upon the standard design of the cylinder head, making itvery difficult to change or modify the cylinder head.

Therefore, the present teachings can be embodied in VVA rocker armassemblies that are specially designed to fit cylinder heads havinglittle clearance.

In many cylinder head designs, it was determined that there was only alack of space in one side of the rocker. Typically, the lack of spacecan occur in the inboard end 101 on the side of the rocker near thespark plug tubes 20. Therefore, it would be viable to package the VVLrocker arm assembly 100 in a redesigned form so that the width on theobstructed side would not be wider than that of a standard rocker arm.

The result was to create modified rocker assemblies for use on cylinderheads that have obstructions on the right-hand side of the rockerassemblies, or left-hand rocker assemblies. In the left-hand rockerassembly most of the functional elements are moved from the right-handside to the left-hand side. Also, the right-hand side is formed to havereduced width.

Similarly, right-hand rocker assemblies are designed for use when thereis an obstruction on the left-hand side. Similarly, structures are movedfrom the left-hand side to the right-hand side and the left-hand side isformed to create increased clearance on the left side to compensate forthe obstruction. Collectively, they will be referred to as modifiedrocker assemblies.

A novel modified rocker assembly 400 according to one aspect of thepresent teachings is described in connection with FIGS. 118-122.

FIG. 118 is a perspective view of a left-handed modified rocker assembly400 exhibiting variable valve lift, according to one aspect of thepresent teachings.

FIG. 119 is top plan view of the modified rocker assembly 400 of FIG.118.

FIG. 120 is a side elevational view of the modified rocker assembly 400of FIGS. 118-119.

FIG. 121 is an end-on elevational view of the modified rocker assembly400 of FIGS. 118-120 as viewed from its hinge (first) end.

FIG. 122 is an end-on elevational view of the modified rocker assembly400 of FIGS. 118-121 as viewed from its latch (second) end.

The modified rocker assembly 400 shown here for illustrative purposes isa variable valve lift (VVL) rocker assembly; however, a cylinderdeactivation (CDA) rocker assembly or other rocker assembly employingtorsion springs on its first end 408, or otherwise having a widenedfirst (or hinged) end 408 fall within the scope of the presentteachings.

This rocker assembly functions in a very similar manner as that shown inFIG. 117 and described above, and the VVL Rocker Application, hereinincorporated by reference. The modified rocker assembly 400 employs aninner structure 410 that fits inside of an outer structure 420. However,this modified rocker assembly 400 is used on cylinder heads having lessclearance near the rocker assembly. The modified rocker assembly 400includes many ornamental aspects apart from the functional aspectsdisclosed herein.

Inner structure 410 can have an axle recess 413 passing through itsfirst end 408. The outer structure 420 also can have an axle recess 433through its first end 408. When the roller axle recesses 413, 433 arealigned with the inner structure 410 inside of the outer structure 420,the axle 434 can be secured through the axle recesses 413, 433 allowinginner structure 410 to pivot relative to outer structure 420 about axle434.

The outer structure 420 on the obstructed side 405, as it extends fromthe second end 409 toward the first end 408, can be offset toward thenon-obstructed side 407 creating a first offset portion 428. This offsetcan be a curved or angled sidearm that can create a smaller width at thefirst end 408. This first offset portion 428 can provide additionalclearance on the obstructed side 405 as compared with standard VVL orCDA rocker arm assemblies. This can now allow the modified rockerassembly 400 to fit into and function with cylinder heads that havenarrow obstruction region such as obstruction region 600 of FIGS. 132,133.

The outer structure 420 on the non-obstructed side 407, as it extendsfrom the second end 409 toward the first end 408, can be offset outwardaway from the modified rocker assembly 400 creating a second offsetportion 429. This second offset portion 429 can provide additionalclearance on the non-obstructed side 407 as compared with standard VVLor CDA rocker arm assemblies, to allow the incorporation of a secondtorsion spring 437. This now can allow the modified rocker assembly 400to exert the proper amount of force to bias the inner structure 410 withrespect to the outer structure 420. In an alternative aspect of thepresent teachings, a single larger torsion spring can be used in placeof the two or more torsion springs shown here.

The modified rocker assembly 400 employs a latch assembly 500 with alatch pin 501 that can hold the inner structure 410 and outer structure420 together so they move as a single rocker. The latch assembly 500 canbe activated by an oil control valve (not shown) that can provideincreased oil pressure through a cup 448 pivoting upon the hydrauliclatch adjuster 340. This is further described in connection with FIGS.126, 127.

Since there are now two (or more) torsion springs 435, 437 on thenon-obstructed side 407 (or here is a single larger torsion spring) withno torsion springs on the obstructed side 405, there will be a twistingforce placed upon the inner structure 410 and outer structure 420 of therocker assemblies. Therefore the amount of play about the axle 434 canbe adjusted to make sure that the modified rocker arm 400 functionscorrectly.

When using two torsion springs 435, 437, torsion spring 435 isconsidered a right-hand side spring and is wound in the oppositedirection of torsion spring 437. These different springs null out someof the torsional forces.

If only a single torsion spring is to be used, the additional torsionalforces should be considered when designing the inner and outerstructures 410, 420.

For the double torsion spring and single torsion spring designs, therelative strength of the inner and outer structures 410, 420 can beadjusted to reduce flexing, to ensure proper performance. Also theweight distribution of each of the structures along their length can beconfigured to provide the proper strength and structure while minimizingthe inertial force required to pivot the modified rocker assembly 400 atthe speed required to operate an engine. The inner and outer structures410, 420 include many ornamental aspects apart from the functionalaspects disclosed herein.

FIG. 122 shows the latch pin seat 485 that receives and holds latch pin501 when it is in the extended position. Latch pin 501 and latch pinseat 485 can hold inner structure 410 from fitting into outer structure420. Even though the latch pin is shown as a round shape, it may have aflat end that corresponds to a flat seat. The latch pin 501 and latchpin seat 485 can have any complementary shape that allows them to fitproperly together.

FIG. 123 is a plan view from above the outer structure 420 showing thefirst and second offset areas 428, 429. Here the differences from theouter structure of the rocker assembly of FIG. 117 can be seen. Thefirst outer side arm 421 near the first end 408 can be skewed to theleft to accommodate an obstruction on the right side of the first end ofrocker assembly 400. Similarly, the second outer side arm 422 can alsobe skewed to the left to also accommodate an obstruction on the rightside of the first end of rocker assembly 400, keeping the first andsecond outer side arms roughly the same distance from each other as theyextend from the second end 409 toward the first end 408. This can createthe offset areas 428 and 429.

FIG. 124 is a plan view from below the outer structure 420 of FIG. 123also showing the first and second offset areas 428, 429. This also showsa lower cross arm 439. The lower cross arm 439 can be shown to addstrength to counteract forces and help prevent flexing that mayotherwise occur, due to the non-symmetric design of the modified rockerassembly 400.

Latch pin seat 485, discussed in connection with FIG. 122 above, is alsovisible from this view.

FIG. 125 is a side elevational view of an outer structure 420 accordingto one aspect of the present teachings. The first outer side arm 421 andfirst offset portion 428 are visible in this view.

FIG. 126 is a perspective view of top side of an inner structure 410according to one aspect of the present teachings.

FIG. 127 is a perspective view of bottom side of the inner structure 410of FIG. 126. Axle recess 413 is shown that can receive axle 434 and canpivotally connect the inner structure 410 to the outer structure 420. Inboth FIGS. 126 and 127, roller axle apertures 483 and 484 can receivethe roller axle (not shown) to hold roller 415. In FIG. 127, cup 448 canreceive the hydraulic lash adjuster 340 of FIG. 116. The hydraulic lashadjuster (340 of FIG. 116) is provided with oil flow from an oil controlvalve (not shown). The hydraulic lash adjuster 340 has an oil outletthat can provide the oil flow into cup 448. Cup 448 can be connected tointernal passageways that provide the oil to galleries 444 and 446. Theoil galleries can be connected by internal passageways to latch assembly500. An oil pressure provided by the oil control valve greater than athreshold pressure can cause the latch assembly 500 to be switched. Thelatch pin (501 of FIGS. 120-122) can be set to its normal position (withlow oil pressure) in a retracted position. When the oil pressure greaterthan a threshold amount is provided to the latch, it can switch toextend latch pin (501 of FIGS. 120-122). This is a ‘normally unlatched’configuration.

Alternatively, at low oil pressure, the latch pin can normally be in anextended position. When the oil pressure increases above a thresholdamount, the latch pin can be retracted. This is a ‘normally latched’design.

FIG. 128 is a plan view from the top side of the inner structure ofFIGS. 126-127.

FIG. 129 is a plan view from the bottom side of the inner structure ofFIGS. 126-128.

In FIG. 129, the valve stem seat 417 is shown. Valve stem seat 417presses against the engine valve stem, actuating the valve when themodified rocker assembly 400 pivots.

FIG. 130 is an end-on elevational view of the inner structure 410 ofFIGS. 126-129 as viewed from its hinge (first) end.

FIG. 131 is an end-on elevational view of the inner structure 410 ofFIGS. 126-130 as viewed from its latch (second) end.

In FIGS. 128-131 spring post 447 is shown. One or more of the firsttorsion springs 435, 437 fit over and can be held in place by the springpost 447. A single larger torsion spring may also be used in place offirst and second torsion springs 435, 437.

FIG. 132 is a perspective view of the modified rocker assembly 400 ofFIGS. 118-122 as it would appear installed in a cylinder head.

As with FIGS. 115 and 116, parts have been removed for clarity. Mostnotably, the shaft portion of a camshaft having three lobes per enginevalve has been removed. The middle cam lobe 324 and one outer cam lobe326 are shown. Since one of the side lobes is not shown, the secondslider pad 426 is visible. This and the second slider pad can ride onthe outer cam lobes 326 as described in the VVL Rocker Applicationabove.

The camshaft would be secured by and pass through the cam tower 10. Hereit can be easily seen that spark plug tube 20 would interfere with astandard CDA or VVL rocker assembly at the obstruction region 600. Thefirst offset portion 428 of the modified rocker assembly 400 is adjacentto the spark plug tube 20 at obstruction region 600. Due to its reducedwidth, it is now able to fit on this head and function without collidinginto the spark plug tube 20.

FIG. 133 is a perspective view from another viewpoint of the modifiedrocker assembly 400 of FIGS. 118-122, as it would appear installed in acylinder head.

This shows the same structures as FIG. 120, but from a viewpoint above,and closer to the centerline of the cylinder head, viewing thenon-obstructed side 407 of the modified rocker assembly 400. Middle camlobe 324 is pressing down roller 415.

First offset portion 428 is shown near the obstruction region 600adjacent to the spark plug tube 20 providing the required clearance.

Second offset portion 429 is also shown providing the additional spacefor both torsion springs 435, 437.

While the present disclosure illustrates various aspects of the presentteachings, and while these aspects have been described in some detail,it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limitthe scope of the claimed teachings of the present application to suchdetail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear tothose skilled in the art. Therefore, the teachings of the presentapplication, in its broader aspects, are not limited to the specificdetails and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly,departures may be made from such details without departing from thespirit or scope of the applicant's claimed teachings of the presentapplication. Moreover, the foregoing aspects are illustrative, and nosingle feature or element is essential to all possible combinations thatmay be claimed in this or a later application.

What is claimed is:
 1. A switching rocker arm assembly comprising: aplurality of rocker arms and additional structures connected togetherhaving manufacturing tolerances that introduce mechanical lash, eachswitching rocker arm comprising; an outer rocker arm comprising firstand second arms, the outer rocker arm further comprising a latch seat;an inner rocker arm adapted for assembly between the first and secondarms, the inner rocker arm further comprising a latch with a latch pin,wherein the latch seat is adapted to receive and secure the latch pin,the latch seat comprising: an indentation having a shape complementaryto a shape of the latch pin, the indentation having a depth chosen tocompensate for at least a portion of the mechanical lash to result in apredefined lash.
 2. The switching rocker arm assembly of claim 1,wherein the portion of the mechanical lash for each switching rocker armcomprises a latch lash.
 3. The switching rocker arm assembly of claim 2,wherein the predefined lash for each switching rocker arm comprises thelatch lash and a cam lash.
 4. The switching rocker arm assembly of claim3, wherein the latch lash is adjustable within limits such that anadjustable latch lash and the cam lash comprise a total mechanical lash.5. The switching rocker arm assembly of claim 4, wherein the adjustablelatch lash comprises a spacing between a latch pad surface of the latchof the inner arm and an arm engaging surface of the outer arm.
 6. Theswitching rocker arm assembly of claim 1, wherein the latch seat and thelatch pin engage without a point contact.
 7. The switching rocker armassembly of claim 1, wherein the latch pin of the inner arm is adaptedto engage with the latch seat of the outer arm to latch the inner arm tothe outer arm for a high lift mode of operation of the switching rockerarm assembly.
 8. The switching rocker arm assembly of claim 7, where theshape of the latch pin in a portion adapted for engagement with thelatch seat comprises a circular cross section.
 9. The switching rockerarm assembly of claim 1, further comprising a pivot axle mounted to theinner rocker arm and the outer rocker arm at a first end of the rockerarms, and the latch seat positioned near a second end of the rockerarms.
 10. A switching rocker arm assembly, comprising: an outer rockerarm comprising a first arm and a second arm and an arcuate engagingsurface; an inner rocker arm comprising a latch bore and a latch pin,wherein a portion of the latch pin adapted for engagement with thearcuate engaging surface of the outer rocker arm comprises a circularcross section; wherein the arcuate engaging surface and the latch pincomprise a latch; wherein a spacing between the arcuate engaging surfaceand the latch pin comprises a latch lash; and wherein the latch lash isadjustable and wherein the latch lash and a cam lash comprise a totalmechanical lash for a valve operated by the switching rocker armassembly.
 11. The switching rocker arm assembly of claim 10, wherein thearcuate engaging surface of the outer rocker arm comprises anindentation in a portion of the outer rocker arm that is perpendicularto the first and second arms of the outer rocker arm.
 12. The switchingrocker arm assembly of claim 10, further comprising a sleeve between thelatch bore and at least a portion of the latch pin.
 13. The switchingrocker arm assembly of claim 10, further comprising a pivot axle mountedto the inner rocker arm and the outer rocker arm at a first end of therocker arms, and wherein the latch pin engages the outer rocker arm at asecond end of the outer rocker arm.
 14. A switching rocker arm assembly,comprising: an outer rocker arm comprising a first arm and a second armand an arcuate engaging surface; an inner rocker arm comprising a latchbore and a latch pin, wherein a portion of the latch pin adapted forengagement with the arcuate engaging surface of the outer rocker armcomprises a circular cross section; wherein the arcuate engaging surfaceand the latch pin comprise a latch; wherein a spacing between thearcuate engaging surface and the latch pin comprises a latch lash; andwherein the latch lash is adjustable by a method of forming the arcuateengaging surface of the outer rocker arm.
 15. The switching rocker armassembly of claim 14, wherein the arcuate engaging surface of the outerrocker arm comprises an indentation in a portion of the outer rocker armthat is perpendicular to the first and second arms of the outer rockerarm.
 16. The switching rocker arm assembly of claim 14, furthercomprising a sleeve between the latch bore and at least a portion of thelatch pin.
 17. The switching rocker arm assembly of claim 14, furthercomprising a pivot axle mounted to the inner rocker arm and the outerrocker arm at a first end of the rocker arms, and wherein the latch pinengages the outer rocker arm at a second end of the outer rocker arm.18. A switching rocker arm assembly, comprising: an outer rocker armcomprising a first arm and a second arm and an arcuate engaging surface;and an inner rocker arm comprising a latch bore and a latch pin, whereina portion of the latch pin adapted for engagement with the arcuateengaging surface of the outer rocker arm comprises a circular crosssection and wherein a spacing between the arcuate engaging surface andthe latch pin comprises a latch lash, the latch lash adapted to beadjustable by adjusting the arcuate engaging surface of the outer rockerarm.
 19. The switching rocker arm assembly of claim 18, wherein at leasta portion of the latch pin has a circular cross section.
 20. Theswitching rocker arm assembly of claim 18, wherein the latch lash isadapted to be adjustable by adjusting the arcuate engaging surface ofthe outer rocker arm after the inner rocker arm is assembled to theouter rocker arm.
 21. The switching rocker arm assembly of claim 18,wherein the latch seat comprises a coined indentation in the outerrocker arm.
 22. The switching rocker arm assembly of claim 18, furthercomprising a sleeve within the latch bore, a portion of the sleeve andthe latch bore forming a chamber for pressurized oil to retract thelatch pin within the latch bore, wherein an oil-in surface of theportion of the sleeve is chamfered.